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balanced cables with unbalanced audio
I just ordered an Apogee Duet which has unbalanced output. I will be connecting to my Tannoy Reveal Active speakers which have balanced inputs. The Tannoy manual says I can input unbalanced audio. Is it okay to use my balanced audio cables which I have from my previous setup? I realize they won’t make the Duet audio balanced, but I wanted to make sure I won’t be causing some problem. I can buy new cables if necessary, of course.
On a related note, now that I’ve been reading about balanced and unbalanced audio, I’m worried about hum. I stupidly didn’t think about the balanced output issue until now. The cables from Duet to speakers will be near my computer, monitor, hard drives, all the other cables, electrical lines, etc. Do you think I’m going to run into trouble? I guess I shall see but curious about predictions.
Thanks.
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11 Replies
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Hello Kat and welcome to the Cow Audio Forum.
What are the physical connectors on your Tannoy and Duet?
Regards,
Ty Ford
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Hello Ty,
The outputs on Duet (which isn’t here yet) are 1/4-inch TS. The inputs on my Tannoys are combo XLR/ TRS. The cables I have are XLR on one end (which went into the speakers) and TRS on the other. Wondering if okay to use with the Duet’s unbalanced TS outputs.
Thanks,
Kat -
Kat,
Try ’em and see what happens.
Then try 1/4″ TS to 1/4″ TS
If you get buzz or hum, try an Ebtech HE-2. I have one on each workstation.
https://www.ebtechaudio.com/hedes.htmlRegards,
Ty Ford
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Thanks so much, Ty.
Best,
Kat -
The Duet came today. TRS cable doesn’t work in the Duet’s output — doesn’t go in far enough. When I pushed on it, I got sound out of speaker, but they don’t stay in far enough on their own.
So I’m trying to order TS cables from B&H, but it seems all the TS cables take 7-14 days to ship. I see TR cables — which are called “Phone 1/4 inch TR Male to Phone 1/4 inch Male Mono” cables — that are available right away.
Are TR different than TS? I can’t seem to find answer on the web (maybe I’m too tired).
Thanks.
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Hmm
I don’t know what TR plugs are. TS stands for Tip and Sleeve; usually unbalanced, TRS is Tip Ring Sleeve; usually balanced.
Strange that the ones you have don’t fit. All TS and TRS plugs are pretty much the same length.
Where are you?
Regards,
Ty Ford
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Hi Ty,
Yes…..I can’t even find TR cable on the internet. I wonder if B&H could have mislabeled these items? Here is the link to the “TR” cable. Actually they have a lot of “TR” cables.
I’m in a small town in central New York. There is a Radio Shack here, maybe they would have TS cables.
Kat
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yes, mislabeled.
The picture is of TS plugs.
Regards,
Ty
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Thanks, Ty.
Weird that B&H would mislabel most of their TS cables.
Kat
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With as many pages of stuff the have up, I’m surprised it doesn’t happen more often. 🙂
Regards,
Ty Ford
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