Skip to content
  1. 🚚 Free Shipping on Most US Orders over $99 info
  2. 🆕 50% Lower International Shipping Costs 🌐info
  3. 10% OFF 4️⃣ or MORE Records Every Day! details
  4. 🔴 Save On Audio Gear shop gear specials
Pro-Ject True Balanced Audio & Compatibility Guide

Pro-Ject True Balanced Audio & Compatibility Guide

In 2024 Pro-Ject announced their foray into "True Balanced" audio. This guide was made to help you understand what this means, how it all works, and what your options are for upgrading should you want to. It's dense, but should help you gain an understanding. Much of this information is provided directly by Pro-Ject. If you're still left with questions, you can check out Pro-Ject's True Balanced FAQs page, or reach out to us or them directly.

↪ JUMP TO

For starters, any Pro-Ject turntable or amp with a 'B' in its name, or with 5-Pin DIN / XLR inputs & outputs are "True Balanced" capable equipment ("True Balanced" capable means they have XLR, Mini XLR, or 5-Pin DIN inputs/outputs.) Turntables which only have RCA outputs are only capable of running a "Semi-Balanced" signal from turntable to balanced amp with the use of Pro-Ject's unique RCA to Mini XLR cable, as long as the rest of the requirements are met (more on those below.) This "Semi-Balanced" connection is still a major upgrade from a standard, unbalanced RCA connection. Turntables with built-in phono preamps, Bluetooth, and digital outputs are not True Balanced capable.

"At its core, True Balanced takes principles from professional recording studios and live performances and allows Pro-Ject turntable owners to conjure perfect analogue sound in their home. Balanced audio works by taking two signals from a source (your turntable cartridge) and inverting one of them so as to cancel out any noise picked up along the signal chain. The resulting music, which is free from interference and distortion, can be truly transcendent." - Pro-Ject

 

Why the need?

Modems, WiFi routers, Bluetooth devices and other household appliances which transmit wirelessly all create signal noise. Turntable cartridges are delicate vehicles for the musical information on LP's. The electrical current they produce needs to be amplified enormously in order for it to be audible. That also means that any signals given off by appliances around your home are also amplified, creating background noise and diminishing the purity of that delicate signal. In a professional setting, having a signal that’s free of noise and interference is essential, especially when recording or amplifying vocals. The same applies to a turntable’s analogue signal; the more noise and interference that can be removed from the signal, the better. And so Pro-Ject have introduce their Balanced models & cables to bring this technology to the masses.

 

How does it actually work?

  • A typical RCA connection carries audible information along a single signal path, whereas a balanced connection uses two; one with the signal and the other with what is effectively a mirror image of that signal.
  • A balanced connection picks up the same interferences as any other cable, the difference is that once that signal reaches the phono preamp, one of the signals is inverted so that both signals are now identical, and all of the noise picked up along the way is effectively cancelled out via this inversion.

If this all sounds a bit hocus-pocus, check out the diagram provided by Pro-Ject below for an illustrated representation of audio signals before and after balanced connection is made.

  • The 'Red' signal is from a RCA connection and is susceptible to and affected by noise interference.
  • The 'Green' signals are what occurs when running in balance: when the two sound waves are united further along the chain, the resulting signal has effectively doubled in volume and the unwanted interferences are cancelled out.
  • The result is a stronger signal, one that’s free of noise (ie: balanced, signal 3.)
The 'Red' signal is from a RCA connection and is susceptible to and affected by noise interference. The 'Green' signals are what occurs when running in balance. When the two sound waves are united further along the chain, the resulting signal has effectively doubled in volume and the unwanted interferences are cancelled out. So we’re left with a stronger signal, one that’s free of noise (ie: balanced, signal 3.)

 

Please note, to run a True Balanced phono system each of the following requirements must be met:

  • True Balanced capable turntable (Bluetooth models, turntables with built-in phono preamps, and digital outputs are NOT True Balanced capable; though current & older models with just RCA output ie: Debut Carbon Turntables, are capable of outputting a "Semi-Balanced" signal with the use of Pro-Ject's Connect it Phono E RCA > Mini XLR Balanced Cable shown below)
  • The turntable is equipped with a Moving Coil (MC) cartridge, or Pro-Ject's one-of-a-kind Pick It Pro B Balanced moving magnet cartridge (way more economic than MC option due to its replaceable stylus)
  • True Balanced cable from turntable to phono preamp (cables with 5-Pin DIN, XLR & Mini XLR connections) Pro-Ject does not ship True Balanced cables with their turntables, these cables must be purchased separately - this decision was made to not force the balanced connection upgrade path on new turntable buyers
  • True Balanced capable phono preamp (preamps with Mini XLR or full-sized XLR inputs)

The Connect it Phono E RCA > Mini XLR was specially designed to allow listeners with turntables that only have RCA outputs to venture into the balanced audio world if they wanted to.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED TO RUN "SEMI-BALANCED"

If your turntable only has RCA outputs (no Bluetooth, no preamp, no digital) & you're interested in the idea, you'll need:

 

"Semi" vs. "True" Balanced Connection

A few times in this guide we've mentioned that Pro-Ject have come up with a "Semi-Balanced" solution for turntable listeners who's units only have RCA ouputs, not the Balanced 5-Pin DIN or XLR outputs. Their grounded RCA > Mini XLR cable is only "Semi-Balanced" because of that RCA connection.

  • "Semi-Balanced" connections are used in situations where a fully/true balanced setup isn't entirely necessary, such as shorter cable runs, or a true balanced connection isn't possible due to there only being RCA outputs.
  • "True Balanced" signals offer superior noise rejection due to their fully differential design, where the positive and negative signal components are transmitted on separate wires with inverted polarity, allowing the receiving device (the preamp) to cancel out any noise picked up equally on both wires.
  • "Semi-Balanced" signals don't achieve the same amount of noise cancellation depending on implementation and environment. Though if you're not yet willing to part ways with Ol' Reliable.. with their RCA > Mini XLR cable & Pick It Pro B MM cartridge, Pro-Ject have given listeners the opportunity to step things up a whole lot without totally breaking the bank.

 

What if I bypass my turntable's built-in preamp?

Unfortunately this does not work. Built-in preamps are not balanced and transmit signals that are unable to become balanced, regardless of the cable used. The signal picked up by the cartridge still gets transmitted through the built-in preamp's wiring instead of straight from the tonearm to the balanced phono preamp, even if the turntable's preamp is switched off. The same roadblock exists for turntables with Bluetooth and digital output.

 

The Moving Coil Cartridge

Moving Coil (MC) cartridges are, by nature, balanced signal transducers. This means that as a result of their internal wiring, they’re able to output a fully balanced signal, making them perfect candidates for True Balanced connections.

  • MC cartridges are lighter, more precise, and output at a lower volume.
  • The coils are made with very thin copper wires, the moving coil design allows for a lighter effective tip and more precise tracking than a moving magnet cartridge.
  • The improved tracking allows for a wider range of frequencies; this accuracy and clarity is especially noticeable on the higher end of the hi-fi spectrum (especially in balanced systems.)
  • Be advised that you cannot replace the stylus on a MC cartridge. The entire cartridge either requires replacing or "re-tipping" due to the manufacturing process. Some manufacturers offer their own re-tipping services for customers.
  • MC cartridges also require preamps with MC settings to account for the cartridges' lower outputs (all of Pro-Ject's True Balanced capable preamps are inherently compatible with MC cartridges.)

 

5-Pin DIN / Mini XLR / XLR Connectors

Pro-Ject's nomenclature and design regarding these balanced cables may cause some confusion. While their Mini XLR cables do have 5-Pin connectors (male & female,) they are not the same as 5-Pin DIN connectors. The key difference is that the Mini XLR is essentially a smaller version of the widely recognized XLR connector, and in Pro-Ject's applications, their minis have 5-Pin connectors instead of the usual 3 pins. 5-pin DIN connectors have a different design and will not work with Mini XLR / XLR inputs & outputs. The 5-Pin DIN connectors are for connecting directly to the tonearm of select balanced capable turntables, such as the X8. The chart provided by Pro-Ject at the bottom of this guide illustrates these design differences.

The Phono Box S3 B (pictured above) has both unbalanced RCA, and balanced XLR inputs and outputs. The balanced outputs are standard 3-Pin XLR, the balanced input is a 5-Pin Mini XLR, not a 5-Pin DIN.

 

Is this all even worth it?

That depends. While it is an expensive upgrade path, if you’re someone who takes good care of their records and styli, spends a lot of time listening to vinyl, and truly loves music (the fact you've made it this far probably means you're at least a little interested in this stuff..) then we can unequivocally say that True Balanced is an outstanding investment in the betterment of your setup. If you’ve already got a MC cartridge in your setup it’s a no-brainer, just a matter of upgrading your phono cables. The improvements in detail, the jump in the resolution of musical information is truly mesmerizing. Remember the first time you heard your favorite album on a great hi-fi system? The way the sound immersed and enveloped you - this is an opportunity to experience that all over again. Greater dynamic range, inky black silences; an analogue signal free from unwanted noise.

 

Pro-Ject True Balanced Cable Compatibility

Below are some of the True Balance cables on offer from Pro-Ject and what models they are compatible with in their line. At the bottom is a chart with a few examples of balanced setups.

All Pro-Ject turntables without a built-in Phono Preamp can connect to the Phono Box S3 B, Phono Box DS3 B and Tube Box DS3 B to run a "Semi-Balanced" signal

*This cable is considered "Semi-Balanced" and while it is balanced, it does not provide the same floor as a "True Balanced" signal cable due to the RCA connection. This allows users to break into the balanced audio world without replacing their turntable.

Pro-Ject turntables with mini XLR jacks can connect to the Phono Box S3 B, Phono Box DS3 B and Tube Box DS3 B

Compatible Turntables: Debut Pro B, X1 B, X2 B, 6 Perspex Balanced

The Pro-Ject XA B uses an angled 5-Pin DIN on the bottom of the tonearm. Connects to the Phono Box S3 B, Phono Box DS3 B and Tube Box DS3 B

*This cable was designed exclusively for the XA B Acrylic Turntable*

  • 5-Pin DIN to Mini XLR

Pro-Ject turntables with DIN connection on the tonearm can connect to the Phono Box S3 B, Phono Box DS3 B and Tube Box DS3 B

Compatible Turntables: X8, Xtension 9, Xtension 10, Xtension 12, RPM 9 Carbon, RPM 10 Carbon, Signature 10 and Signature 12.2

  • 5-Pin DIN to XLR

Pro-Ject turntables with DIN connection on the tonearm can connect to the Phono Box DS3 B, Tube Box DS3 B, Phono Box RS and Phono Box RS2

Compatible Turntables: X8, Xtension 9, Xtension 10, Xtension 12, RPM 9 Carbon, RPM 10 Carbon, Signature 10 and Signature 12.2

See that the Mini XLR is a similar shape of the widely recognized XLR connector, but Pro-Ject's Mini XLR's have 5-Pin connections instead of 3. The "5 Pin" connector in this chart is a 5-Pin DIN connector with a different design that will not work with Mini XLR / XLR inputs & outputs.

👉 PURCHASE PRO-JECT TRUE BALANCED AUDIO FROM TURNTABLE LAB

Turntable Lab is an Authorized Reference Partner, Pro-Ject's top tier.

🠧 explore the line 🠧

Filed in: Equipment Guides
Next article Technics SL-1500C Turntable Review