BB22 by Rane

The Rane BB22 Balance Buddy is a handy professional-grade tool used to provide isolation for and convert unbalanced -10 dBV consumer level RCA outputs up to balanced +4 dBu professional XLR inputs. The BB22 converts one pair from -10 dBV to +4 dBu. There are two male XLR connectors and two RCA jacks.

Unbalanced lines should always be kept under 10 feet (3 meters) to prevent undesirable effects such as hum and noise. The BB22 allows conversion to balanced lines that can be run across a studio or an installation without loss of signal quality. For instance, a BB22 may be mounted to the back of a jukebox converting its unbalanced outputs to balanced lines, feeding an amplifier in another room.

Signal-to-noise performance is perfectly preserved using the BB22, since it uses only passive transformers to convert signal levels. It adds no additional noise whatsoever. Use of professional quality nickel core (“80” Ni) transformers guarantee low distortion, wide bandwidth and high signal level handling capability.

The BB22’s isolation transformers provide a quick and affordable answer to most jobs requiring signal level conversion and output balancing.

Features:

• Convert unbalanced signals to balanced.
• Isolate lines to stop ground loops.
• Enables the use of long balanced cables for a hum-free signal.
• 2 channels of -10 dBV (RCA) to +4 dBu (XLR) conversion
• +24 dBu maximum levels
• Nickel core “80” Ni transformers provide wide bandwidth and low distortion

Specifications:   

• Transformer Construction: Nickel-core bobbin-wound
• Turns Ratio: 1:3.89 @ -10 dBV (316 mV): +4 dBu (1.23 V)
• Maximum Levels

                           10 dBV In: +10 (40 Hz – 20 kHz), +4.5 (20 Hz); 0.5 dB limit, 1% THD point

                           +4 dBu Out: +24 (40 Hz – 20 kHz), +18.5 (20 Hz); 0.5 dB limit, 1% THD point

• Input Impedance: -10 dBV @ 1 kΩ
• Insertion Loss: 0.5 dB
• DC Resistance: 47.5 Ω / 200 Ω
• Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
• THD + Noise: < 0.05 (40 Hz – 20 kHz)
• Dimensions (width x depth x height): 5.1” x 4.25” x 1.65” (130 x 108 x 42 mm)
• Weight: 1.0 lbs. 0.45 kg