ADAT i/o differences

[bunglebungle]

Is there any sonic difference in using Elco connectors compared to the TRS jack inputs and outputs on a Blackface ?

[Track Rat]

The black face ADAT doesn't have TRS jacks. The analog ins and outs are on -10 unbalanced RCAs and the balanced +4 is on the ELCO.

[tuna]

PLenty of difference.
I've recorded a demotabe using the standard inputs, and later recorded another one using an elco cable.
Nice sounding, as they say, more headroom(!).

I would say go for the elco if you can. There is some crazy guys over the web which shows how to rewire your adat internally to make the p2 outputs +4, by using the elco internal cabling, but I think it's too much work and isn't guaranted to work.
Better stick to the clean solution and get an Elco.

[bunglebungle]

ah cool

Thought so, problem is my elco snake is 1/4 inch jacks which is fine for my desk tape inputs but the tape outputs are male xlr

[bunglebungle]

solution? adapters on the tape outputs on desk perhaps ?

[tuna]

Mine too, and I had a friend of mine to help me doing 1/4 -> trs adaptors.
It's easy, there are schematics all over the web, and they work great.

[Raw-Tracks]

Originally Posted by Track Rat

The black face ADAT doesn't have TRS jacks. The analog ins and outs are on -10 unbalanced RCAs and the balanced +4 is on the ELCO.

The original black face ADAT's did indeed have 1/4" jacks on the back, not RCA's. The 1/4" were TS, unbalanced, -10dBv. The later XT and XT20 versions of the ADAT replaced the 1/4"TS connectors with RCA's.

To answer bunglebungle's original question: If your mixer is running at +4dBu, then use the ELCO, if you mixer is running -10dBv, use the 1/4TS.