True rca <-> xlr converter

I came across this unit and I know some folks like more than just an adapter solution.

http://www.henryeng.com/matchbox.html

They also offer a device that can do 2 sets of rca in to 2 xlr out vs the bidirectional one linked. No idea how this compares to the Jensen device but these have more flexibility.

 

isn't that just like that Jensen thing?
except two way, and requires external power?

 

The Jensen box is a passive device made with transformers. The Henry Engineering device is active electronics with a power supply required.

 

Reading over the site it sounds like it's RCA to XLR, "employing four independent amplifiers to convert stereo inputs and outputs from unbalanced -10 dBv levels to +4 dBm"

where as the Jensen PC-2XR "convert a +4 dBu balanced line-level signal to a consumer -10 dBV"

 

Transformers can be run either way. Just a matter of convenience with the connectors. You can have Bill Whitlock wire them to meet what ever suits your situation.

 

Jensen does XLR -> RCA out. The Henry can go both ways, you just need to plug it in to the wall whereas the Jensen you don't.

 

Ahh that makes sense, still it seems that if your primary aim is XLR to RCA then the Jensen may be ideal, where as if you want to go both ways then the Henry offers just that,

 

I may be wrong, but I think you can passive step down but need to actively step up. I think the Jensen is also much more expensive, relatively speaking.

 

You can passively step up as well.

 

I'd rather keep it all passive and grab this: http://www.radialeng.com/jdiduplex.php

 

I know I don't have trusted ears - sorry, if this is useless noise. Purchased this many months ago. It has become a permanent fixture in my speaker system, using the XLR to RCA. I have a unbalanced amplifier, which I love (good synergy with the speakers), and a balanced DAC, which I love. The unbalanced outputs from the balanced DAC (PS Audio) are utter crap. The Matchbox has worked. Permanently powered on - sound is good, and does not cost a bundle. Again, harking back to the untrusted ears, I'm not sure what else to say. I think I'm picky, but you don't know me. Moving on.

I compared in reverse, RCA to XLR - feeding directly into Cavalli Liquid Carbon RCA vs. feeding into RCA on Matchbox whose XLR outputs then fed the Carbon. The Carbon is still what is is (not great) but the Matchbox made a discernible improvement.

I'm happy with the price and performance of the box - I only wish it weren't blue

 

Sweetwater has this exactly, reviews for it are very positive. I'm going to give it a shot, ordered a pair of BJC 10 foot Xlr's though :/ so I'm going to have to keep the coiled a little but I've got space for exactly this, had to re-arrange the Etir around but I'll let you guys know how it works out for me. I've never had an issue with my NFB10ES2 RCA outs but there's two of them and they both run hot -.- so when I've got two units hooked up I can't switch between the two analog outputs. Which is less than Ideal honestly

 

Very cool, thanks for highlighting that @Armaegis !

@sheldaze which PS Audio device is that?

 

My apologies - I just updated my profile: PS Audio PerfectWave MKII

Above all in the speaker system, I crave crisp, clarity - less musical and more for cinema. Direct through the Matchbox into the speaker amplifier is a sound I enjoy.

 

This little bad boi will NOT convert XLR inputs to RCA outputs, I've read the manual and run every configuration of this I can/could

It wasn't designed for that, so it looks like were back to the Jensen Transformers... I was hoping this would work but it didn't. Thankfully the sweetwater team is super helpful

 

According to their schematics on the website, it seems like it does XLR-out only and handles various input formats. As a passive option, this still seems to be true of RCA->XLR. Now whether there are audible differences between the active Henry device and the pass JDI I do not know, however the JDI is almost twice as expensive.

I've inquired to Maple Tree Audio about building a switch that could do A/B testing using rca and balanced inputs to rca and balanced outputs. Will report back.

 

Schematics aside, I've confirmed just that. Only cost me $10, so it's not a bad endeavor let us know what you find about the Maple Tree Audio

I'm still on the fence as to wheather or nor I want to keep these XLR inter-connectors... I think I just might honestly. I case I ever have a balanced amp I need to hook my amp up to!

 

Not that many power amps are balanced only (Audio Research comes to mind) but you can never have too many cables

 

This one should do both XLR->RCA and RCA->XLR all passively... https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/DTI

I don't have this exact model, but I have a couple other passive ART DI boxes and they're well built and do the job in my PA gigs.

 

Another member didn't speak to well of these back in the Advice thread, the first time this topic popped up. I honestly think I'll wait to be able to pick up the Jensen solution in a few months, I've got the cable still, the Jensen's not super pretty but it'll work just fine I hope!