H8000FW: are 1/4 inch in/out jacks balanced when TRS plug is used?

[rhoge]

I am considering connecting the inputs and outputs of an H8000FW to a balanced patch bay using a DB25 to 8xTRS cable (I want the connections balanced and using this cable will simplify some other things).  The manual is a bit vague about whether the 1/4 inch jacks are balanced for both input and output when a stereo (TRS) connection is used.  It is noted that using a mono 1/4 inch plug will obviously unbalance the connections, but otherwise it's not really discussed in detail other than saying that "The H8000FW’s analog inputs accept either mono or stereo 1/4" connectors or balanced
XLR connectors"

Does this mean that stereo 1/4" connectors can be plugged in, but the resultant connection will not be balanced?

Thanks for any information on this question.

Rick

[rhoge]

Sorry – was kind of spacing out when I wrote this.  Of course only the *inputs* are XLR/0.25in combi jacks (suppose it's kind of hard to make an XLR male combi).

I'm fairly confident that a 1/4 in TRS input will remain balanced, but would appreciate any confirmation.

Cheers,

Rick

[nickrose]

I'm going to assume your db25 adaptor is also lost in space, as this is for AES output.

The 1/4" inputs will accept either a TR mono unbalanced or a TRS balanced or unbalanced. Essentially, the signal is on the T and the R is grounded, so it will unbalance a balanced connection.

[rhoge]

Thanks – that answers my question.

My understanding is that DB25 is ok for analog (although standard analog XLR cables are not ok for AES).

Rick

[nickrose]

Assuming you are referring to the DB25 on the back of the H8000FW, this is truly AES. The same connector can also be used for analog, but not by us.

[rhoge]

Sorry this got so confusing – the routing I am looking at is:  Switchcraft StudioPatch 9625 DB25 outputs to H8000FW analog inputs (on combo jacks).  Those channels on the patch bay are fed by other analog lines.

I had a spare DB25<->TRS snake, and wanted to know if this would preserve balance if the TRS was connected to the H8000FW inputs (would have avoided purchasing a DB25<->XLRM snake).  Seems it does not so I got an additional DB25<->XLRM snake for that.

Understood that the DB25 connect on the H8000FW is dedicated to AES.

Thanks,

Rick

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