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Balanced vs RCA between amp/preamp

Well I'm taking my first step into separate components with a Marantz SC-11s1 and SM-11s1. Would like to know about the +/-'s of using RCA vs balanced interconnects between the two. All my input sources are single ended.

I understand the Marantz components balanced connections have pin 2 wired cold and pin 3 wired hot. Does this mean I need to reverse the cables going to my speakers (if I decide to use balanced connections between amp/preamp).

I also understand the RCA connections conserve absolute polarity. But is there a performance "hit" taken by using singled ended connections between amp/preamp?

Thank you in advance......
wec56
kijanki's avatar
kijanki
4,428 posts
 
Balanced gives you better electrical noise rejection (if you need it), but costs more and requires additional circuitry to make it  (less is more).   I don't have a choice since my current and previous amps have only XLR inputs, but I still appreciate locking feature.  In addition to locking XLR has only female end exposed - in case something gets disconnected.  It is additional protection from touching "live" wire.  
wec56 OP
14 posts
 
I've read plenty of reviews and checked the Marantz site and cannot confirm either unit is fully balanced or just has the balanced connections so no help there.

I agree with Millercarbon that listening is the proof. Thanks for your input gentlemen.

Any other input is welcome......
verdantaudio's avatar
verdantaudio
1,499 posts
 
Read third post down from KBK...great explanation.  

https://www.stereophile.com/content/balanced-xlr-vs-unbalanced-rca-1

The fact that the Marantz units and your sources are not fully balanced means you will likely experience minimal gains vs. single ended connections.  in fact, there are occasion where you will find the single ended connections may sound better.  I can't speak about those explicit units, bit I have an amp where the single ended connections definitely are better than the balanced.  
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