Manley Jumbo Shrimp

Yes the Shrimp is entirely a single-ended design. The circuitry uses single-ended topology. In order to be able to provide balanced inputs or outputs we would have to convert the signal to balanced using something like some IC's or transformers. Both these options would add more "stuff" to the signal and be certainly audible detracting from the pure sound the Shrimp provides.

If you are dealing with balanced source outputs or driving a balanced amplifier with the Shrimp, check to see if you also have unbalanced connections on that gear, change your cables and go with that. You might be pleasantly surprised that they too added extra audible "stuff" in order to provide balanced XLRs and the RCAs that don't have that extra "stuff" in the signal path actually sound better. (Depends on a given unit's specific design.)

Or use some RCA to XLR adaptors. Most balanced gear has no problem being driven single ended but check with the manufacturer if they are going to want the negative pin 3 of the XLR grounded or floating. Transformer-coupled XLR jacks always can be driven single-ended by running HOT into Pin 2 and grounding pin 3 to pin 1. Some IC coupled XLR inputs will want pin 3 floating, others will require it to be grounded when running single-ended into it. Check with the manufacturer of your gear to see how to hook it up single-ended.

Specifications:

• ALL-TUBE: Vacuum Tube all-triode design

• Input Tubes: 2 x 12AT7EH large plate Electro-Harmonix Russian

• Interstage Follower Tubes: 2 x 5670 GE USA dual triodes

• Output Tubes: 2 x 7044 or 5687 GE JAN NOS

• Five Line Level Inputs: unbalanced RCA

• MUTE switch and Warm-Up muting delay

• ALPS motorised volume control: Accurate tracking usually within 0.5dB. Smooth operation. (no detents)

• ALPS balance control: Center detented

• Record Output: (AKA "TAPE OUT") Unbalanced RCA jacks, unbuffered, passive (always ON)

• Main Outputs: Two sets of unbalanced RCA main outs for bi-amping or driving a powered subwoofer

• Gain: 12dB

• Input Impedance: 250 kOhm

• Input Sensitivity:
  Volume Control at MAX: 200mV in yields 0.8V out (12dB GAIN)
  Volume Control at 3 o'clock: 200mV in yields 0.380V out (5.6dB GAIN)
  Volume Control at 12 o'clock: 200mV in yields 0.115V out (-4.8dB GAIN)

• Maximum Input Level: 5V in produces 1.5% THD at output

• Frequency Response: 10 Hz - 80 KHz; 20 Hz - 20KHz, -0.3dB

• Noise Floor: Typically -83 dB 20-20K with volume control fully open

• Noise Floor: Typically -95 dB A WGT 20-20K with volume control fully open

• Noise Floor (shorted input): Typically -94 dB 20-20K with volume control fully closed

• Noise Floor (shorted input): Typically -106 dB A WGT 20-20K with volume control fully closed

• S/N Ratio: typically 95 dB A WGT 20-20K

• THD: 0.02% at 1V rms output

• Output Impedance: 50 Ohms

• Maximum Output: +23dBu  1.5% THD into 100K load (10.9V rms)

• Maximum Output: +20dBm  1.5% THD into 600 Ohm load

• Badge Lamp: LED illumination

• RF Remote Control: commands volume control UP/DOWN; uses 9V battery

• Power Consumption: 55 Watts (485mA  120VAC)

• Operating Mains Voltage: Units are purpose built for original destination country's mains voltage: 100V, 120V, or 220-240VAC as indicated on the serial number badge. Power transformer must be replaced in order to change mains operating voltage. 120VAC units may NOT be rewired to put the primaries of the power transformer in series for 220-240V operation or a large radiated field of hum will develop. If changing locations/voltages, the power transformer must be replaced with the dedicated one for the voltage at which it will operate.

• Mains Voltage Frequency:

• Dimensions: W=19", L=11", H=3 1/2"

• Shipping Weight: 15 Lbs.