2. tech-talk
  3. 1348678901

Balanced or Not

I own a preamp which has both balanced and single ended jacks. I assumed that since I was using the balanced jacks I was getting the benefit of a balanced circuit. I have just now realized that just having balanced plug-ins doesn't mean your preamp (or any other component) is "balanced." Just wondering what sonic compromises are being made with equipment which has balanced inputs and outputs but that change the signal to single ended as it passes through it. If you are using the balanced outputs, what good is that if the signal going into this jack is single ended? Why would manufacturers do this? What is the advantage to not following the balanced circuit through completely?
frepec
frepec OP
17 posts
 
Almarg:

Thanks for responding again. I started this thread in the Tech Talk group because I thought it was the more appropriate category for it and I wasn't generating any responses under the Amp/Preamp section. I tried to have the Amp/Preamp thread moved to the Tech Talk category but Audiogon said they could not do that. Wasn't trying to be redundant.

As to cost for fully balanced. I had thought that was the issue but recently have seen some pretty reasonably priced units that are fully balanced. In my case, I do get way better sound by using the XLR inputs and outputs. Was just interested in what I am missing out on. If the incremental improvement in sound in not substantial enough, I can stop obsessing over this!
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,793 posts
 
Well I'm a manufacturer so you have to take my comments with a grain of salt on this one: once you've heard a fully balanced setup there is no going back to single-ended. I've said that a lot over the last 20 years and it continues to be true.
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
Well I'm not a manufacturer, but you can still take my comments with a grain of salt. I have heard AND owned fully balanced setups. I am now back using single-ended, so obviously, there IS going back. The main reason for going back to single-ended designs was economic reasons.

That being said, my current system is still very quiet and revealing. I will admit that the noise floor using a fully balanced system was lower, but once you factor in all the other noises in a real world listening enviornment, I can't say that I'm suffering.

My current system is about 20% of the cost of my old big rig days, and to be honest, I'm embarassed by how close it is sonically. To think....all those years of what I was sure were "upgrades"... Sure makes me wonder what I spent so much time and money obsessing over.

Tube/SS, Vinyl/Digital, Balanced/SE, just relax, have fun and enjoy the music.
swampwalker's avatar
swampwalker
5,138 posts
 
Tube/SS, Vinyl/Digital, Balanced/SE, just relax, have fun and enjoy the music.
By jove, I think he's got it!!!
roscoe50
44 posts
 
Thanks for the topic as I happen to be wondering if Bal or Unbal cables should be used for the female XLR to RCA outputs on my Fostex D5. The cable runs into my Denon DRA- 395.

Any suggestions are appreciated. r
More to discover