Balanced Inputs and Line Drivers

[mauibuilt59]

What is the purpose of balanced inputs? I have an xtant amp and it has balanced inputs. Is it just something that I already have? or is there something special that I have to buy or do to utilize it?

Also, are line drivers worth the extra 100 bucks? Is there a noticable difference in clarity and volume from a 2V output and an 8V output?

[Luc]

Balanced line typically can accept/carry a higher signal level through the wires. Their signal integrity is "balanced" in the sense that they act as differential pairs that work through a transformer so that noise is minimized. RCA are considered unbalanced since they're more of low level carrier and are easily affected by noise, even with good shielding. You may need an adapter from Xtant to take a balanced input from an unbalanced source.

Line drivers may be useful if you have an amp that can take the higher voltage input. Otherwise, there's no need for it.

[eddiem67]

Originally Posted by Luc

Balanced line typically can accept/carry a higher signal level through the wires. Their signal integrity is "balanced" in the sense that they act as differential pairs that work through a transformer so that noise is minimized. RCA are considered unbalanced since they're more of low level carrier and are easily affected by noise, even with good shielding. You may need an adapter from Xtant to take a balanced input from an unbalanced source.

Line drivers may be useful if you have an amp that can take the higher voltage input. Otherwise, there's no need for it.

excellent explanation Luc, most preamp eq and crossover units have line drivers built into them, so if you have a 2V preout HU and your amp can accept 4-8V invest in an EQ

[mauibuilt59]

i have an alpine 7892 which has a 2V preout. I also have an alpine eq, which has a 4V preout. My xtant says it can accept a balanced signal of 17V and an unbalanced signal of 8.5V. The amp also has a switch where you can switch the balanced input on and off. I thought you needed a different type of wire (other than rca's) to use the balanced input, but there is no other type of connection on the amp itself. you can check out the users manual at page 6 of http://www.xtant.com/html/techSuppor...02_4004Man.pdf

How would I use the "balanced input" function and would it be worth it to buy a line driver that can boost the signal up to 17V?

[eddiem67]

you can use the rca, some manufactures like zapco, make there own balanced design, but you can use the same rca cable, the signal is just fed to the amp differently...well...balanced