Can anyone suggest a suitable component for sending balanced audio over CAT5E.

I wish to take the line level ouput of a pre-amp (6 channel) and send it balanced over CAT5E to a power amp located in the roof of the house (approx 200Ft away).

I may also wish to send a further 4 channels to an AV receiver located about 100Ft away.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated as so far

I have only found devices which send both audio and video (which I don't require) to a receiver. An audio only device with several line level inputs would be ideal.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Are you hoping to send all of the channels through a single CAT-5, or is the option of pulling additional cables a possibility?

Larry
www.fineelectricco.com

Single cable would be nice but not necessary as we can run multiple cables,

However,

Looking back at my post I realise that I have put 6 channel as opposed to 6 zone which is what I meant,
it is therefore 12 channel plus a further 4 channels in other rooms which I imagine equals a lot of cables so if other options are available for using less cables then I would definitely be interested.

Thanks.

AUdioControl BLD-10 and DBR-10- 4 Channel Balanced Line Drivers/receivers

SOnance LS-1 LR-1 2 Ch Balanced Line driver/receiver

If you can pull cables, why do you want to use Cat5? Baluns, IMHO, are solutions to problems, not building blocks of systems.

Baluns? I dont quite understand that last sentence.....

Balanced Audio is the best to run around a residential home. I've used dozens of Audio control and Sonance drivers and have nevr had any sound quality issues with a client, and have never had a noise issue either.

Would you please elaborate on you "Humble opinion".

.

I guess I'm from the old school, run individual wires for all runs. I have had better luck in all of my installations this way. But maybe it's time for me to look at the Active Balanced drivers from Audio Control. I've seen passive versions of these devices that totally suck....

If you look at their FAQ on these devices, it says "where can I get these fabulous problem solvers". I guess that's the way I look at it. If you can run it, run good shielded cable.

I would suggest installing a professional audio multicore cable, This will be individually jacketed, individually screened twisted pairs. You could use a starquad multicore for extra interference protection.

You should then put balancing transformers at each end.

This is how it is done on any large live event where cable runs and risk of interference are far greater than in any home.

Roland

Baluns, or line drivers, are not only easy solutions to long line-level runs, but are preferable in most cases. Balanced runs are necessary over 50' for audio (give or take), and Cat5 is easier to run & more manageable than audio or video cable, so it's win-win. Of course, it could cost more... the converters run anywhere from $80-140, and you need 2. But would you rather run a bundle of coax to a plasma, or a couple of Cat5's?

A single Cat5 can carry 4 separate signals, audio or video. S-Video counts as 2, RGBHV uses all 4. I use them whenever possible.

Also look at intelix baluns. I have used them to pass line level audio over 2000'. They should be used for a solution to a problem. They can/and do pickup some noise but do work. The noise is not noticible by most endusers.

It's my opinion that if you use these types of 'problem solvers' your not giving your customer the best quality signal possible. Isn't that the object of these systems?

The intellix balluns suck for video, they may work for audio.