McIntosh XLR pin wiring???

[robinje]

I am ordering some new balanced XLR cables to connect between my C220 and MC275. The owners manuals both specify that the XLR terminations be configured as follows:

Pin 1: Shield/Ground
Pin 2: "+" Output
Pin 3: "-" Output

Is this the typical way that XLR plugs are wired, or do I need to ask for something other than standard?

[ron-c]

This is the United States professional standard.

Thanks,
Ron-C

[dshoaf]

Not to strike a word of caution here but I've discovered that cheaper balanced cables may not be up to spec. I recently purchased some cables from Guitar Center for a friend's small home recording setup only to find that some of them were not wired correctly.

They looked good, felt good, and appeared to be made well but were not wired correctly. In one case, the balanced lines were reversed and in another case, the 2 returns were reversed and one of the hoods were not soldered to a ground. It didn't take long to fix the problems once I figured out what was wrong. Understand that these were intended for microphone connections but I can tell you that the recordings didn't work until these were fixed. For the most part, these were GC's regular line of cables. Won't do that one again.....

I think from now on I'll just use Mogami wire, good connectors and do the labor myself.

Cheers,

David

[firemen]

This is the United States professional standard.

Thanks,
Ron-C

Just a question Ron,you stated that this wiring is the USA professional standard,but Marantz ref.series says that the pin set up for USA standard is different w/ #3 being hot ,and #2 cold ,and Mac's set-up is european .Can you explain this to me.Thanks :music:Harry

[ron-c]

After much research it looks like US pro gear is reversed from US home gear on the assignment of the plus and minus. This WILL allow the mixing and matching of home and pro gear.
I have both in my own system and they play well together.

thanks again,
Ron Cornelius,
McIntosh

[firemen]

After much research it looks like US pro gear is reversed from US home gear on the assignment of the plus and minus. This WILL allow the mixing and matching of home and pro gear.
I have both in my own system and they play well together.

thanks again,
Ron Cornelius,
McIntosh

Thanks Ron,I knew you would know the answer ,You Mac guys are the best ,takecare :music:Harry

[robinje]

I told my dealer (The Cable Company) the Mac-specified pin configuration, and they are dealing with Cardas to make sure my new Neutral Reference cables are terminated correctly. Thanks for your input!

[dj_AmTraX]

I the owner's manual of my MX119 and most McIntosh amps manual shows XLR pin layout.

pin - 1 sheild/ground
pin - 2 to (+)
pin - 3 to (-)

XLR cables wire pin - 1 to sheild end to end. No chassis tie.
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=80125&d=1203732108

Please correct me if I am wrong, I am trying to better understand this. The recomended way to wire pin 1 is to chassis/ground, case optional?

http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=80124&d=1203732007

[dj_AmTraX]

I opened my Audioquest Diamondback and King Cobra. The sheild on one end of the Diamondback was not connected to pin one.

[Kevin M.]

I opened my Audioquest Diamondback and King Cobra. The sheild on one end of the Diamondback was not connected to pin one.

What about the shield on the King Cobra? Was it connected at both ends?

[vintage_tube]

Not to strike a word of caution here but I've discovered that cheaper balanced cables may not be up to spec. I recently purchased some cables from Guitar Center for a friend's small home recording setup only to find that some of them were not wired correctly.

They looked good, felt good, and appeared to be made well but were not wired correctly. In one case, the balanced lines were reversed and in another case, the 2 returns were reversed and one of the hoods were not soldered to a ground. It didn't take long to fix the problems once I figured out what was wrong. Understand that these were intended for microphone connections but I can tell you that the recordings didn't work until these were fixed. For the most part, these were GC's regular line of cables. Won't do that one again.....

I think from now on I'll just use Mogami wire, good connectors and do the labor myself.

Cheers,

David

I have learned this thru trial and error and WILL NEVER buy XLR cables. Just because cables come from the best manufacturers does not mean jack-didley when it comes to proper terminations or as someone else states, being terminated at all.

Additionally & this was the breaking point for me -- some manufacturers wire their connectors differently than the cable manufacturers -- too darn much confusion with something where standards do exist.

[ron-c]

McIntosh agrees with Rane on this one. If anyone is using a different wiring it must be based on a standard from overseas.
The AES professional audio standard is 2+, 3-, audio signal and pin 1 is ground. This is also the THX spec and the same way McIntosh wires all balanced connections.
If someone says there is another 'standard' we would all like to know what it is.

Thanks again,
Ron-C

[Kevin M.]

I re-wire all of my cables with better XLRs. I like the Xhadow XLR. Maybe they just look pretty and don't improve the sound but I sure luv them:D.

[dj_AmTraX]

What about the shield on the King Cobra? Was it connected at both ends?

The King Cobra were connect.

How do you tell if a componet is grounded on pin one if it doesn't say so in the manual?

[philcib]

Just a question Ron,you stated that this wiring is the USA professional standard,but Marantz ref.series says that the pin set up for USA standard is different w/ #3 being hot ,and #2 cold ,and Mac's set-up is european .Can you explain this to me.Thanks :music:Harry


The AES standard is pin 2 high. Marantz is wrong. Some other Japanese
companies like Otari wire pin 3 high as well.

[ron-c]

Harry,

If someone says some configuration is the 'standard' they should name the standard they are speaking of.
Philcib is correct in his post.
Thanks,
Ron-C