M-208 stereo out xlr question

[evm1024]

Looking throught the manual of my M-208 it states that the XLR stereo out is unbalanced. I presume that you can take an xlr to rca cable and run this into a stereo amp or powered monitors. However this does not appear to work....

How does Tascam wire the XLR in this mixer? Does anyone have a schematic?

I can use the TS stereo outputs but now need to use both the XLR and TS.



Thanks

[Beck]

Outside pins (1 & 2) are ground. Center pin (3) is hot.

I’ve seen those pins turn black with oxidation, especially if unused. If so, they won’t conduct the signal. If they're not shiny some non-abrasive metal cleaner will fix the problem.

[evm1024]

Thanks Beck, I just discovered that pin3 was hot and not 2 like the rest of the world. Actually I was sitting in bed thinking about what would cause mono in the studio monitor only when both cables were connected (left and right) and it dawned on me that hot and ground were swapped. I ran down to the garage er studio and tested it out. Then cam back to the list to post it only to find that the list once again comes through!

Know any of the history of why?

[Beck]

The whole XLR conflicting standards thing is a bit frightening. Pin-3 hot is found on a lot of older stuff. Different manufacturers were configuring opposite ways until the early 90’s. Since then I believe most, but not everyone is on the same page – pin-2 hot. You really have to check everything to be sure – kinda silly.

I’ve considered rewiring things to be current. It would be a simple matter of switching two wires, but unfortunately, in this case pin 1 and 2 are tied together on the circuit board, so some foil scraping would be necessary.