NAD M51 to RCA only monoblocks : XLR or RCA connection ?

[eyesofra]

Hi Guys,

 

Need some suggestions here. 

 

I'm expecting delivery of a pair of Consonance Cyber 800 mono today ! Thanks to Glen for fast shipping. 

The M51 is on a dual-role here , both as a DAC and a preamp. It has both XLR and RCA out whereas the amps are RCA only. Since the M51 has 2 parallel outputs, I'd like to have one going to my sub which is again RCA only. 

What is the best way to connect ? 

 

1) M51 RCA to the amp . XLR converted to RCA to the sub

2) M51 XLR converted to RCA - amps ? 

 

I've been reading that many M51 users seem to prefer the XLR out for better SQ. So I'd love to use this, but the conversion from XLR to RCA might just kill any SQ gains or would it not ? I've never used XLR-RCA converters before,so no idea at all .Looking forward to your thoughts   Thanks 

Edited August 2, 2013 by eyesofra

[ellrotts]

XLR to RCA shouldnt affect anything but i would use the single ended for the amps and convert for the sub.

 

There are two trains of though on SQ gains for single ended and XLR one for and one against, the signal in the XLR is to my knowledge the same as the RCA, XLR just compares noise and cancells it. go RCA to the mono blocks IMO

[Jventer]

The mono blocks only have an RCA connection and I believe that is why you asked.

Although I can run either XLR or RCA from my pre amp I use RCA - did not think about that when I bough my interconnects.

Subsequently I did read a bit re the XLR to RCA converters and I am not convinced that that is the way to go.

I am now connecting my pre to headphone amps via XLR.

 

Cameron from Krispy or decky may be able to make you a set of cables or give you advice.

 

Otherwise I would ask Greg Osborn - he is selling these amps and may have an opinion.

 

I would like to see the answers you are getting.

 

(By the way re speaker cable: I have the 845S mono blocks and Greg recommended a minimum length as advised by Opera - I would suggest you enquire re this from the seller or Greg)

Edited August 2, 2013 by Jventer

[eyesofra]

HI Jventer,

 

Didn't realize the amps had minimum length requirement on the speaker cables. Will verify this . thanks 

[betty boop]

I wouldn't use xlr/rca converters/adapters. I would either use rcas all through or xlrs all through. not a mix.

[eyesofra]

Hi al ,

 

I suppose you're not recommending the converter due to SQ degradation ? would it be ok than if I used the XLR-RCA converter for the sub ? 

emmm.....Looks like my nice Chord XLR cables need to go back to classifieds ...

[Bruno28]

Im resurrecting this post!

Im on the same boat. Have got a M51 as a stereo system, but got a Klipsch R-110ws sub more for movies.  I got the XLR ouput and convert from XLR to RCA for the sub and will use the RCA outputs to the monoblocks.
is that the best way to go? The NAD M51 can handle 2 outputs at the same time?
Should I go XLR to monoblocks via RCA or XLR to sub?