In which way can I use operational amplifiers to amplify XLR signals

audiooperational-amplifier

I'm asking myself, how I can use operational amplifiers to amplify XLR signals? Let's say my XLR input gives me GND (1) Signal+ (2) and Signal- (3).

Can I simply connect 3 and 2 to my operational amplifier and than take the output (4) from my operational amplifier, combine it with the GND (1) and connect it to a speaker?

Are there any circuit plans with operational amplifiers that show how to build a preamp? (XLR -> XLR or XLR -> Cinch)

Best Answer

More or less, but you shouldn't use a bare op amp as the gain is to high. You should build a differential amplifier. This is probably exactly what you need:

XLR input stage

From: http://www.colomar.com/Shavano/intro_opamp2.html

It's difficult to make one of these differential amplifiers into a variable gain amplifier, but you can always follow it with a single-ended amplifier with variable gain, or a variable attenuator (pot as an adjustable voltage divider) an amplifier with fixed gain.