XLR Jumpers

Jetmaker737
Jetmaker737 Posts: 1,051
edited December 2009 in Basic Hookup/Wiring Questions
I bought an amp whose owner's manual states that if running RCA inputs to the amp, then pins 1 and 3 on the XLR inputs should be connected via jumpers.

How critical is this? I don't have the jumper pins. Is there a good substitute?
SystemLuxman L-590AXII Integrated Amplifier|KEF Reference 1 Loudspeakers|PS Audio Directream Jr|Sansui TU-9900 Tuner|TEAC A-6100 RtR|Nakamichi RX-202 Cassette
Post edited by Jetmaker737 on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • megasat16
    megasat16 Posts: 3,521
    edited December 2009
    Yes, you need to use these jumpers pins if you use RCA connection instead of XLR connections. It's very critical for the amp to work normally but very easy to make one.

    Just find some solid core electrical 10AWG wire and cut about an inch. Then, completely strip off the outer plastics layer to expose the bare metals and create a U shaped bend but make sure it'll fit between pin 1 and pin 3 of the XLR connectors. If an inch is not long enough, cut off another length of wire a little longer this time.
    Trying out Different Audio Cables is a Religious Affair. You don't discuss it with anyone. :redface::biggrin:
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited December 2009
    Run down to rat shack and buy XLR plugs. short pins 1 and 3 together.
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Jetmaker737
    Jetmaker737 Posts: 1,051
    edited December 2009
    Gentlemen, thank you for the advice.

    Jet
    SystemLuxman L-590AXII Integrated Amplifier|KEF Reference 1 Loudspeakers|PS Audio Directream Jr|Sansui TU-9900 Tuner|TEAC A-6100 RtR|Nakamichi RX-202 Cassette
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,203
    edited December 2009
    You must short them for the proper gain.

    You can buy the pins here but there is a min. order charge. Doesn't hurt to have some extras

    http://www.dedicatedaudio.com/inc/sdetail/5158

    I bought from them and they are all std size and very nice.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • CoolJazz
    CoolJazz Posts: 570
    edited December 2009
    I'm not so sure about it effecting gain (though maybe there is an architecture that could be). But it does raise the possibility for noise. The unloaded input can open the door for noise which could be greatly amplified! Basically an antenna just waiting....

    CoolJazz
    A so called science type proudly says... "I do realize that I would fool myself all the time, about listening conclusions and many other observations, if I did listen before buying. That’s why I don’t, I bought all of my current gear based on technical parameters alone, such as specs and measurements."

    More amazing Internet Science Pink Panther wisdom..."My DAC has since been upgraded from Mark Levinson to Topping."
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,203
    edited December 2009
    CoolJazz wrote: »
    I'm not so sure about it effecting gain (though maybe there is an architecture that could be). But it does raise the possibility for noise. The unloaded input can open the door for noise which could be greatly amplified! Basically an antenna just waiting....

    CoolJazz

    IF you're not going to use the balanced connection the pins need to be shorted because IT DOES affect the gain on almost all truely balanced circuits, and not having them shorted in some cases CAN increase the noise floor because of the low gain.

    To the OP read the owners manual and if it states the pins need to be in place then I would follow that recommendation.

    Most of the time it's just the inputs that need to be shorted not the outputs. I had a balanced DAC at one point and the output didn't need to be shorted but the balanced input on my pre needed to be shorted if I was using the single ended RCA's instead of the balanced connection. Same with my amp, I use the single ended RCA because I think it sounds better and the shorting pins MUST be in place in order to get the proper (intended) gain.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Jetmaker737
    Jetmaker737 Posts: 1,051
    edited December 2009
    The amp is an Aragon 8008 Mk II and the manual does state to jump the pins.

    Thank you for the link H9!
    SystemLuxman L-590AXII Integrated Amplifier|KEF Reference 1 Loudspeakers|PS Audio Directream Jr|Sansui TU-9900 Tuner|TEAC A-6100 RtR|Nakamichi RX-202 Cassette
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited December 2009
    Jetmaker737 wrote: »
    I bought an amp whose owner's manual states that if running RCA inputs to the amp, then pins 1 and 3 on the XLR inputs should be connected via jumpers.

    Was this a new amp? I would expect a new amp to include these jumpers, and if they expect a customer to buy jumpers in order to use RCA cables I would like to know so I can avoid their products in the future.
    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
    Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes

    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
    Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,203
    edited December 2009
    BlueFox wrote: »
    Was this a new amp? I would expect a new amp to include these jumpers, and if they expect a customer to buy jumpers in order to use RCA cables I would like to know so I can avoid their products in the future.

    I doubt it was new since Aragon is no longer in business. Well, they sort of are because a group of investors has bought the name in hopes of reviving the good 'ole days.

    Most people lose those tiny little jumpers and I'm sure they were included in the original purchase.

    If you buy a used Pass amp, just email Pass Labs and they will send you new jumpers for free since they are easily lost if the former owner isn't careful.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Jetmaker737
    Jetmaker737 Posts: 1,051
    edited December 2009
    BlueFox wrote: »
    Was this a new amp? I would expect a new amp to include these jumpers, and if they expect a customer to buy jumpers in order to use RCA cables I would like to know so I can avoid their products in the future.

    H9 is correct. The amp is used, and Aragon is no more :(

    However, it's a beautiful piece and I can't wait to try it!
    SystemLuxman L-590AXII Integrated Amplifier|KEF Reference 1 Loudspeakers|PS Audio Directream Jr|Sansui TU-9900 Tuner|TEAC A-6100 RtR|Nakamichi RX-202 Cassette
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter