Use XLR Inputs on New Ultra ?

[OvalNut]

Concurrent with the arrival of my new PC13 Ultra, I am considering upgrading my subwoofer EQ to a Behringer FBQ2496 (currently using an ART 351). The new Ultra will also give me the option of using a balanced XLR connection for the 50 foot run from the EQ to the sub, rather than the existing 50 foot unbalanced RCA subwoofer cable I'm currently using. I would still be running RCA for the 3 foot run from my AVR to the EQ input though.

Should I do this? Any gotchas of mixing RCA and XLR in this signal chain like this? Any input/output line level concerns to/from any of the components that I need to keep in mind if I did it this way?

My reason for considering this is that the primary benefit of XLR as I understand it is to minimize any signal noise over long cable runs. To date, I've never perceived any noise problems with my existing setup.

Your thoughts?


Tim

[brucek]

Should I do this?

Yes....

Any gotchas of mixing RCA and XLR in this signal chain like this?

Nope....

Any input/output line level concerns to/from any of the components that I need to keep in mind if I did it this way?

Nope....



brucek

[OvalNut]

Thanks Bruce. A followup question please:

In the pursuit of reining in signal noise/loss/artifacts wherever possible, do you believe that there would be a perceptible sound quality difference between using the FBQ2496 vs. the DSP1124P as a subwoofer EQ for a single preset in this situation?

Tim

[brucek]

do you believe that there would be a perceptible sound quality difference between using the FBQ2496 vs. the DSP1124P as a subwoofer EQ for a single preset in this situation?

Well, the specs are better on the FBQ.

I like the larger dynamic swing on the input and output - it will avoid clipping problems.

The sampling is higher on the FBQ, but that's inconsequential at low frequencies.

The measured response on the FBQ is a bit better at very low frequencies, and this may help slightly, since the lowest filter is 20Hz.

I'd take the FBQ over the 1124 if I was given a choice.....

brucek

[OvalNut]

My sincere thanks to you Bruce for your concise and reasoned replies.

Anyone else with other perspectives?


Wishing you well,

Tim

[Ilkka]

OvalNut wrote:

My sincere thanks to you Bruce for your concise and reasoned replies.

Anyone else with other perspectives?


Wishing you well,

Tim

If you need more than one pre-set, choose the DSP1124P.

[Danny]

I believe on some devices unbalanced to balanced causes a loss of 6Db. Ie you put a balanced signal into the device and take unbalanced out.

[brucek]

Most use auto servo sense and adjust the levels accordingly - the BFD does this..

brucek

[OvalNut]

Cool. ... and by BFD you are also including the FBQ2496 in that statement, correct?

Tim

[brucek]

Yep...