I have got some balanced cables for the monitors that are balanced and the sound card is a Delta 1010 and its has +10 and minus 4 on the outputs, do I keep the outputs to + 10 or minus 4?
And what are balanced cables? Sorry for all the questions.
Thanks again

Balanced cables enable you to run cables over longer distances with less reduction in signal strength. They have three pins if XLR and one of the pins is called a shield, which acts as a block to RFI (raido frequency interference). If using XLR make sure the cable is good quality (eg canare) otherwise it defeats the purpose. Would require the soundcard outs to be balanced too.

As for the -10/ +4 that relates to how much voltage output is being sent from the soundcard to power the signal to the monitors. Domestic gear is -10dBV and pro is +4dBV. The setting you would make depends on what the monitors are built for. Read the specifications that came with you monitors, or get on the website to check. I am guessing that as the monitors have balance options, you'd end up with +4.

Thanks for the reply
I just wanted to make sure I had set up my equipment right and I get decent quality audio, I’d hate to think it was set up wrong! And I wasn’t getting the true potential from equipment I had saved up a long time for.
Once again thanks for taking the time to reply to me, and I will look for the info on the monitors about the soundcard.

No probs.
Might be interested in this link

Thanks again

Lots of really helpful and useful information for people like me, once again thanks for the link.

this is the idea behind balanced cables. I think it's pretty ingenious.



http://www.mediacollege.com/audio/b...e-balanced.html

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All rhythm evolves around a kick...

Good read Pjotr G!

That’s really amazing thanks

So if I have noise in the lead it’s gone when it reaches the other side, I won’t buy unbalanced cables again.
Thanks for the really great help guys.

this only has use if your inputs and outputs are balanced

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All rhythm evolves around a kick...

My Delta 1010 has balanced inputs and outputs i think, so this is very useful to me.
Thanks again