Cable for balanced NF

k_numigl · Post by **k_numigl** » 2014-02-26 13:23

A companion query to the XLR plugs: What kind of cable is OK for a balanced connection in Linn environment? I realised that Linn offers the 'silver' cable as a balanced version, but not the black cable - despite offering a 'black balanced' 1.2 m cable with plugs. Is it known what kind of cable is used for this? Checking the Mogami cables, W2549 seems suited to me. Any opinion?

clasch66 · Post by **clasch66** » 2014-03-02 18:51

No comparison made to the ones mentioned by you, but I have sommer carbokab as symetrical connection of my sub. Used them earlier in a non linn stack for connecting monos to a pre. Very good cable and a bang for the buck!

Cheers Claus

PS. this is black too ;-)

hcl · Post by **hcl** » 2014-03-03 07:38

I am also searching the market for good balanced cables (with a more reasonable price than then the Linn Silver, which is much better than everything I have tried so far). The best I have come across so far is Gotham GAC-3, but there are lots of cables I have not tried as of yeat.

I found the Sommer Cable, Carbocab to be rather bad. The Mogami I tried is among the better ones, but far from the Silver.

clasch66 · Post by **clasch66** » 2014-03-03 07:54

Interesting, what was wrong? I found the carbocab very fast, perfect timing, very tight. But as already said, this was not in a linn stack. For connecting my sub it is a really good choice. Between ADSM and 2200 linn silvers unsymmetrical. Good match.

Cheers Claus

hcl · Post by **hcl** » 2014-03-03 18:11

clasch66 wrote:Interesting, what was wrong? I found the carbocab very fast, perfect timing, very tight. But as already said, this was not in a linn stack. For connecting my sub it is a really good choice. Between ADSM and 2200 linn silvers unsymmetrical. Good match.

Cheers Claus

In my system the Carbocab made a pretty detaild, but totally non-coherent sound. All sounds was all-over-the-place. Timing was terrible.

Cheers,

hcl

clasch66 · Post by **clasch66** » 2014-03-03 19:20

hcl wrote:
clasch66 wrote:... perfect timing ...
... Timing was terrible ...

;-)

k_numigl · Post by **k_numigl** » 2014-03-04 18:05

hcl wrote: so far is Gotham GAC-3.

Thanks for comments. I'll give the GAC-3 a try as a first approach. How did you configure the cable? With the third conductor connected to ground or just left unconnected?

Timing is my biggest concern, too. The connection is just for a sub, but I
fear that even for this limited frequency range a bad cable can make a mess.

BR, Klaus

hcl · Post by **hcl** » 2014-03-04 18:46

k_numigl wrote:
hcl wrote: so far is Gotham GAC-3.
Thanks for comments. I'll give the GAC-3 a try as a first approach. How did you configure the cable? With the third conductor connected to ground or just left unconnected?

Timing is my biggest concern, too. The connection is just for a sub, but I
fear that even for this limited frequency range a bad cable can make a mess.

BR, Klaus

I did not use it for a sub, but in a standard balanced configuration (ordered from the US). The cable was also connected as a standard balanced cable, terminated with standard Neutrik XLR connectors. Within a week I will be able to compare it to its slightly more expensive sibling, the Gotham GAC-4/1 (ordered from Switzerland).

k_numigl · Post by **k_numigl** » 2014-03-05 14:06

hcl wrote:but in a standard balanced configuration.

Does this mean: third conductor not connected?

clasch66 · Post by **clasch66** » 2014-03-05 14:18

k_numigl wrote:
hcl wrote:but in a standard balanced configuration.
Does this mean: third conductor not connected?

No, all three!

PIN 1 PIN 1: GROUND/ SHIELD
PIN 2 PIN 2: +LIFE
PIN 3 PIN 3: -LIFE

PIN 2 & 3 are 180 degrees phase shifted

hcl · Post by **hcl** » 2014-03-05 18:00

clasch66 wrote:
k_numigl wrote:
hcl wrote:but in a standard balanced configuration.
Does this mean: third conductor not connected?
No, all three!

PIN 1 PIN 1: GROUND/ SHIELD
PIN 2 PIN 2: +LIFE HOT
PIN 3 PIN 3: -LIFE. COLD

PIN 2 & 3 are 180 degrees phase shifted

Hot and Cold added.

k_numigl · Post by **k_numigl** » 2014-03-06 10:12

Sorry for the confusion - I realise to have expressed myself too shortly.
It is clear that a standard balanced connection is as described. But the
GAC-3 has an additional third conductor within the shield (as opposed to
the standard two, so in total there are 4 electrical connections including shield):

http://www.gotham.ch/en/index.php?id=14 ... d=_details

According to the manufacturer, the third conductor in the shield has
advantages. The question was, whether hcl has used this suggested
configuration or otherwise left the third shielded conductor unconnected.

BR, Klaus

hcl · Post by **hcl** » 2014-03-06 20:32

The cable came terminated, so I guess it uses all available conductors.

k_numigl wrote:Sorry for the confusion - I realise to have expressed myself too shortly.
It is clear that a standard balanced connection is as described. But the
GAC-3 has an additional third conductor within the shield (as opposed to
the standard two, so in total there are 4 electrical connections including shield):

http://www.gotham.ch/en/index.php?id=14 ... d=_details

According to the manufacturer, the third conductor in the shield has
advantages. The question was, whether hcl has used this suggested
configuration or otherwise left the third shielded conductor unconnected.

BR, Klaus