the current preamp is a Rotel RC995. It has 2 XLR outs next to RCA outs. I don't know where to find its manual so I don't know if this is a real XLR out, the preamp will certainly not be a balanced preamp. I think it just has an extra small circuitry added to give XLR out an be able to input into amps that have a balanced XLR input.
In my active speaker system I use:
the rotel RC995 preamp
2 XLR wires from the preamp to both Behringer DC2496 digital crossovers
4 speaker channels are used per behringer - the XLR outs of the Behringer are then wired back to unbalanced and go into homebuilt switchable resistor voltage dividers to bring the crossover voltage outs back to an acceptable level for the unbalanced RCA inputs of the 4 amps used:
2 Rotel RB991 (200W/channel) doing the Bass and the mid-bass speakers
2 Rotel RB 1070 (130 W/channel) doing the Mid and trebble speakers
The RB991 have also an XLR input but again probably just a circuitry to enable XLR input, the rest of the amplifier will not be balanced.
So I use the RCA inputs to all 4 amps with the signals out of the voltage dividers.
This is the issue:
- the Behringers expect high level voltage in as usual in professional/PA equipment but the preamp is home audio hence lower level out
- I have to amplify the inputs 15dB to have acceptable input signal level otherwise operating to close to the noise level
- I need the switchable voltage dividers after the crossover and hence have to power level:
- Low where I can turn the preamp to slightly above mid level before the inpunt and outputs of the Xovers start clipping, and still have acceptable sound levels for normal listening
- High where I can only turn the preamp volume to about 10 Oclock and have real high power, theXover inpus still very far from max level.
So in all not a very handy system.
So I would prefer to have a preamp that can put out a high level signal into the Behringers.
Now for professional/PA equipment one would only find like a mixer/preamp, today quite often with digital equilizer & the lots, where I would prefer to have a very linear preamp with minimal controls.