Balanced V Unbalanced Jacks

[Codydwagner]

Just a quick question, my preamp has unbalanced 1/4 jacks and my power amp has balanced xlr jacks. what is the best way to connect these? just a 1/4 to xlr cable? what is the difference between balanced and unbalanced?

[Foz]

http://www.rane.com/note110.html

[dincz]

Balanced cables pick up less electromagnetic interference. It's more important with low signal levels (mic and instrument). For short runs at line level it shouldn't be a problem.

Wire it like this:
http://www.mediacollege.com/audio/co...jack-mono.html

[Pilgrim]

http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/articl...o-cables-.html

[Codydwagner]

thanks, that makes a lot of sense

[1958Bassman]

Originally Posted by Codydwagner

Just a quick question, my preamp has unbalanced 1/4 jacks and my power amp has balanced xlr jacks. what is the best way to connect these? just a 1/4 to xlr cable? what is the difference between balanced and unbalanced?

Best practice is to use a high-low impedance transformer that makes the transformation- the balanced signal is not only differently configured (pin 1=gnd, Pin2=Hot (normal signal) and Pin3 is cold (signal inverted). Pin 3 can be connected to shield but the level for High Z and Low Z are different.

Yes, you can do it with a simple cable but if you don't like the results, get the transformer.

[walterw]

Originally Posted by 1958Bassman

Best practice is to use a high-low impedance transformer that makes the transformation- the balanced signal is not only differently configured (pin 1=gnd, Pin2=Hot (normal signal) and Pin3 is cold (signal inverted). Pin 3 can be connected to shield but the level for High Z and Low Z are different.

from a preamp into a power amp sitting underneath it?

just use a regular guitar cable and get on with your day