a phone-type output where the sleeve of the output stage is not connected inside the unit, and the ring is connected, usually through a small resister, to the audio signal ground. This allows the tip and ring to “appear” as equal impedance, not-quite-balanced output stage, even though the output circuitry is unbalanced. Floating unbalanced often works to drive either a balanced or unbalanced input, depending if a TS or TRS standard cable is plugged into the output. If a floating unbalanced connection hums, a ground-lift cable is required. Also known as a pseudo-balanced output, or quasi-balanced.