Balanced cables

@2channel,
+1

Bob

As was mentioned above, the output of a "balanced circuit", if truly balanced, will almost always double the output voltage of that device. Just because a component has XLR connectors, doesn't mean the circuit is fully balanced.  I don't care when the term "balanced" was introduced, the outcome is the same. Balanced cables are a huge asset when running longer lengths, or when cris-crossing line voltage wiring.  You have two separate signal wires, both shielded by the woven mesh.  This eliminates possible 60hz hum, or IR interference, that can and sometimes will present itself, when using SE cables.  I wish my Rhea had balanced phono inputs, but as someone once said, " you can wish in one hand a shat in the other and see which one fills up first."  As far as SE phono interconnects, I found that when making my own, using 2 conductor with a messed shield, leaving the mesh out of the circuit on one end, will greatly improve the sound, by keeping the signal wires shielded from any interference that may be picked up from induction.  In the long run, no pun intended, whatever works best for you, is what you should use.  The original question was about different brands, not if balanced is better.  For me and my application, balanced works best for me.

Do balanced interconnects, perhaps because of common mode noise rejection, tend to suppress even order harmonics?

Could this be one reason some people feel single-ended connections sound more natural and musical than balanced connections?

When I started getting serious about this hobby in the 1980s, one didn't hear too much about cables. (At least I didn't; but then I wasn't looking.)
When I returned to the hobby in 2015 I ordered a NAD dedicated CD player. The dealer sold me a pair of AudioQuest Alpha Snake ICs for $24 to go with it. While I was waiting for the NAD to be delivered I put the Alpha Snakes on an old ADC CDP that it was replacing. I immediately had to turn the volume down on the amp. So I was convinced that the cheap ICs that came with the players were garbage. I was not convinced, however, that spending more than $25 was prudent. 

A few years later and my system became much more capable of revealing detail. I bought a pair of WireWorld Oasis 7s for about $100. They made an improvement in soundstage and carity from my Oppo BDP-95 through a Rotel Rx-1052 and Canton Ergos that I thought was not just my imagination. Later I replaced the Oasis 7s with inexpensive Gotham PUR XLRs. (now through a Primare I32) This was an improvement that I absolutely and immediately knew was not my imagination. Next I got some Zu Mission XLRs that I believe listed for about $215. I'm not sure I hear any improvement over the $35 Gothams, but this does not surprise me. I had thought that the nature of balanced circuits and cables is much more immune to cable differences than RCAs. Since I got the Zus for only $45, it was not an expensive experiment. It seems that some of the followers of this thread who are far more knowledgeable than I have confirmed my theory. I am insecure enough to take comfort in that.

handymann

Balanced cables are a huge asset ... You have two separate signal wires, both shielded by the woven mesh. This eliminates possible 60hz hum, or IR interference, that can and sometimes will present itself, when using SE cables.

Again, this is mistaken. The ability of a balanced cable to reject interference isn't because of shielding, which many balanced cables completely lack. Rather, it is the nature of the balanced connection itself and the common-mode rejection ratio that results. Shielding can very much be a benefit with single-ended cables, however.