Active Three-Pair Sender-Twisted Pair Format-A-XLR mic & stereo phono in

Ideal Use Cases

The RDL D-TPS3A is designed for audio installations that need to place one balanced microphone and one stereo unbalanced source onto an RDL TP Format-A connection. Its signal assignment is direct: the microphone feeds pair A, the left line input feeds pair B, and the right line input feeds pair C. This makes it well suited to systems using all three Format-A pairs for an XLR microphone and left/right -10 dBV line audio.

Why Choose This Model

The balanced XLR microphone input provides a 1.2 kΩ input impedance and IEC 24 Vdc phantom power. A rear-panel switch selects either 50 dB NORM gain or 63 dB HIGH gain, allowing the input stage to accommodate the specified -45 to -65 dBu balanced microphone range. Maximum microphone input is -40 dBu in HIGH gain or -28 dBu in NORM gain.

Two 10 kΩ unbalanced RCA phono inputs handle the stereo line source. Each line channel is specified for a nominal -10 dBV level, accepts up to +10 dBV, and provides 12 dB of gain. Studio-quality precision active balanced circuitry prepares the three signals for transmission through the Format-A output, while a blue power LED provides immediate operating-status confirmation.

Installation and Integration

Source connections are clearly divided between one XLR microphone input and two RCA phono line inputs. On the D-TPS3A, the RDL TP Format-A output uses an RJ45 connection. Power can be supplied remotely through the twisted-pair cable or locally through the detachable terminal block. The module requires 24 Vdc at 65 mA plus the requirements of any connected loads. When local power is used, a fused feed supplies connected modules.

The recommended power supplies, which are not included, are the PS-24AS for the USA and PS-24AX for international use. The module measures 1.6 inches wide by 4.11 inches high by 1.89 inches deep. D- and DS-series installations require a mounting box with a minimum depth of 2.4 inches. Stainless steel, black, and white versions are available.

Performance Highlights

The microphone path has a frequency response of 100 Hz to 30 kHz within ±1 dB and includes an integral low-cut filter specified at -10 dB at 30 Hz. Microphone THD+N is less than 0.1% from 80 Hz to 20 kHz. Noise below +4 dBu is less than -80 dB in NORM gain and less than -70 dB in HIGH gain. Common-mode rejection is greater than 60 dB in HIGH gain and greater than 65 dB in NORM gain from 50 Hz to 150 Hz.

The line paths extend from 20 Hz to 50 kHz within ±0.5 dB, with THD+N below 0.05% across that range. Line noise below +4 dBu is specified at less than -95 dB. Available headroom above +4 dBu exceeds 18 dB. Published line-to-line crosstalk is less than 90 dB at 1 kHz and less than 75 dB from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. The specified ambient operating range is 0°C to 55°C.

What Makes It Different

Unlike a sender dedicated to a single source, the D-TPS3A uses all three Format-A pairs at once while keeping each signal on a defined pair. The microphone occupies pair A, and the two stereo line channels remain separated on pairs B and C. Rear-selectable microphone gain, phantom power, remote powering, local terminal-block power, and the ability to feed power to connected modules combine signal and power functions in one active sender.

Final Assessment

The D-TPS3A provides a precisely defined interface for sending one balanced microphone and two unbalanced line channels through RDL TP Format-A. Its XLR and RCA inputs, dedicated three-pair routing, selectable microphone gain, wide line-frequency response, RJ45 output, and flexible local or remote power options make it a capable integration component when this exact source arrangement is required.