[onthefly]

I am in 2 minds whether to order the regular SP2 or the Pro version with the XLR.  I was searching this forum earlier today when someone questioned whether it was a fully balanced connection and my understanding by the response is it seems not to be.  So my question is: is it fully balanced or not?

[Phil A]

I am in 2 minds whether to order the regular SP2 or the Pro version with the XLR.  I was searching this forum earlier today when someone questioned whether it was a fully balanced connection and my understanding by the response is it seems not to be.  So my question is: is it fully balanced or not?

James Tanner noted in the other thread that it is "just the digital interface."  With digital interfaces there can be a variety of connectors (e.g. RCA, BNC, Toslink, XLR).  I had a DVD transport when I first got my SP1.7 that had all the above noted digital outputs and it sounded best the digital XLR output so I ordered the SP1.7 that way.  The digital interface takes the signal and runs it into the DSP so there in that sense there is no fully balanced connection from input to output.  The outputs on the pre/pro with the exception of the sub (which has a choice of XLR or RCA) are RCA.  That does not mean that there is no advantage to uses a digital XLR input (e.g. common mode rejection of noise).  The question is why do you want a digital XLR input vs. 2 toslinks?  When they resolve HDMI and I send my SP1.7 in to get upgraded with the new digital boards, I'm going to find out the details of replacing the digital XLR input with the 2 toslink inputs.  I don't have anything at this point with a balanced digital out and not that many transports use it.

[James Tanner]

One clarification from Phils post  - the XLR 5.1 outputs on the SP2 are fully balanced Class A differential outputs and the 2 Back channels Single ended RCA - or 7.1 out all single ended RCA can be used.
By the way the Balanced and Unbalanced RCA outputs can be used together if more channels are required.

james

[Phil A]

One clarification from Phils post  - the XLR 5.1 outputs on the SP2 are fully balanced Class A differential outputs and the 2 Back channels Single ended RCA - or 7.1 out all single ended RCA can be used.
By the way the Balanced and Unbalanced RCA outputs can be used together if more channels are required.

james

Thanks James - I should have known that - I use the balanced outputs!  And I also do use the unbalanced RCAs (for the Left and Right) at the same time to output the signal to an amp that powers speakers in another room (the amp has A/B speakers switching too).  I keep forgetting that part.  My bedroom system is on the other side of the wall to the main system and a couple of times I was tempted to just get a basic 5 channel amp before I remember that I use the speakers 'B' on the bedroom syster rec'r to go into a switcher to feed 4 other places.

[onthefly]

I should have been more clear and pointed out that I meant the XLR for the digital input.  I quite fancy sourcing a CD transport with a matching XLR.

[James Tanner]

Yes the XLR of the digital input is balanced.

james

[onthefly]

Thanks JT.