Cables and connections

We recommend using balanced input wiring; however, unbalanced input wiring is also supported. For detailed instructions, please refer to our amplifier input wiring application note.

To convert an unbalanced input signal to a balanced one, a high-quality interconnect cable can be used. Ready-to-use interconnect cables are available at www.diyclassd.com.

15/02/2022

This setup essentially functions as a source selector. For detailed instructions on wiring an RCA connector to the UcD module, please refer to our application note "Dealing with Legacy Pin 1 Problems".

To implement the setup, install a DPDT switch to connect the hot and cold inputs of the UcD module to either pins 2 and 3 of the XLR connector or the signal and shell contacts of the RCA connector. Note that pin 1 of the XLR connector remains hardwired to the chassis and is not switched. Similarly, the RCA shell contact remains hardwired to the chassis.

When the DPDT switch is set to RCA, the cold input of the UcD module is grounded via the RCA connector. For further details, refer to the schematic in the "Dealing with Legacy Pin 1 Problems" application note.

15/02/2022

Fundamentally, there is no inherent issue with using tube preamplifiers. However, many tube preamplifiers are designed to pair with tube power amplifiers, which are typically AC coupled. Consequently, some tube preamplifiers lack the necessary safeguards against turn-on and turn-off transients.

In certain cases, these preamplifiers may output their full anode voltage during power cycling. This can cause significant stress on connected equipment, as we have observed that a notable number of repairs result from tube preamplifiers discharging their output capacitors into the UcD™ input circuitry. It is important to note that such behavior is problematic for most solid-state amplifiers, not just UcD™ or NCORE® models.

04/03/2022

We offer cable sets specifically designed for connections between the amplifier and the SMPS. Additionally, the datasheets for each product provide detailed pinout information for every connector on the module.

For our DIY amplifier modules, wiring schematics are available on our website at www.diyclassd.com.

04/03/2022

A: Indeed you can. There’s no good way of adding a potentiometer to a truly balanced connection, but in a “pseudo balanced” connection it is possible. You'll need to use microphone cable (shielded twisted pair). There are 2 stretches of cable. Cable 1 goes from the RCA terminals to the pot. Cable 2 goes from the pot to the UcD input.

1) Cable 1 (RCA end): shield and white wire to RCA ground. Blue wire to RCA signal.

2) Cable 1 (Potentiometer end): white to potentiometer "common". Blue to potentiometer "input". Shield of cable one is connected to shield of cable 2 AND TO NOTHING ELSE!

3) Cable 2 (Potentiometer end): white to potentiometer "common". Blue to potentiometer "output" (wiper). As said in 2) the shield connects to the shield of cable 1 and to nothing else. RESIST ANY URGE to connect the shield to the pot common. 4) Cable 2 (amplifier end): white to pin 1, blue to pin 3, shield to pin 2. So that means that the shield of cable 1 continues as the shield of cable 2, so you get a contiguous shield all the way from the RCA to the amplifier. Any circulating currents that go through the shield will never mix with the audio ground because the audio ground is kept separate (white wire) and sensed differentially by the amplifier.

04/03/2022

A: With each connector pinout table, the connector type equivalent is given. Instead of entering some limited specifications in our datasheet, Hypex choose to give the part numbers of the connectors (or equivalent) used on the modules. This allows you to find that specific matching cable part, which is easily available in your country. Furthermore, a datasheet of a connector gives you much more valuable information, including pin plating, alloy, latch type, contact resistance, insulation resistance, insulator material, dielectric withstand voltage, flammability rating and pin position.

Finally, Hypex advices to order the cables set of the specific modules via our webshop. This ensures you always have the correct cables and connector for your modules.

04/03/2022