[mr_bill]

Hi, just looking for info on:

Preamp (single ended rca output only) connected with a rca to xlr cable to DVA M225 amps.

I understand the M225 is a differential balanced bridged (stereo) mono amp and is designed to be run XLR to XLR. 
I also understand the AVA R2X converter is the best solution for the above.

If I connect this way with a rca to xlr cable (pre rca to M225 xlr) what will happen?  Will I wreck the M225s?  Will it just not audibly perform as well?

Thanks!

[Charles Xavier]

No problem. I use the one made by Orchard Audio with my Orchard amp

[mr_bill]

Thanks but if I need to buy a converter I’ll buy the AVA R2X.

My question is: 
What will happen if I connect with an rca to xlr cable (pre rca to M225 xlr) what will happen?  Will I wreck the M225s?  Will it just not audibly perform as well?

Thanks!

[NIGHTFALL1970]

I used the AVA R2X with mine before I got the digital preamp and it sounded great. I don’t remember any big differences. I don’t think you will hurt anything.

[YungestMarco]

Think the signal will remain unbalanced instead of being converted to balanced

[mr_bill]

AVA Mary or anyone - can you answer if I connect with just an rca to xlr cable without R2X?

Thanks but if I need to buy a converter I’ll buy the AVA R2X.

My question is: 
What will happen if I connect with an rca to xlr cable (pre rca to M225 xlr) what will happen?  Will I wreck the M225s?  Will it just not audibly perform as well?

Thanks!

[jmc207]

Check this earlier response from Mary:

https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=186873.msg1959890#msg1959890

And this one by danielgk:

https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=186143.msg1951590#msg1951590

[mr_bill]

Jmc that helped thank you!
  (PS I meant R2X not D2X!)

[Charles Xavier]

Thanks but if I need to buy a converter I’ll buy the AVA R2X.

My question is: 
What will happen if I connect with an rca to xlr cable (pre rca to M225 xlr) what will happen?  Will I wreck the M225s?  Will it just not audibly perform as well?

Thanks!

Wasn't trying to switch you

[mr_bill]

no prob - nice to know of other options, that Orchard converter looks good, 
I think I understand what I'm doing now and a 'converter cable' is definitely not the right solution...all the posts and answers have been helpful!

[AVASupport]

If I connect this way with a rca to xlr cable (pre rca to M225 xlr) what will happen?  Will I wreck the M225s?  Will it just not audibly perform as well?

If you connect a single-ended source to the DVA M225's XLR input through a passive RCA to XLR cable or adapter, you won't damage the DVA M225. However, the amp won't perform close to its best. Not only will it only make about half the power, but, more importantly, it will lose the distortion-cancelling property that's a feature of bridged amplifiers.

We very strongly recommend using our R2X single-ended to differential converter or a box providing similar functionality for RCA to XLR connections.

[mr_bill]

Thank you AVA Support!

[MttBsh]

Reading this thread made me wonder - a few years ago I bought a balanced Maraschino (Digital Amplifier Company) amplifier that came with pair of metal RCA to XLR adapters. Tommy O’Brien, proprietor of the company (sadly passed during Covid) indicated that feeding RCA interconnects into the metal adapters was all one needed for connecting a single ended preamp to his balanced amp.

Can anyone suggest whether replacing the metal connector with the AVA or Orchard RCA to XLR adapter would bring improvements to the sound of the Maraschino amp? It's hard to know if the circuitry of that amp is different and as such wouldn't benefit from the true conversion offered by the AVA/Orchard units.  Thanks for any ideas.