Audio Research equipment is fully balanced and they recommended one using balanced interconnects. I have used single ended for the last forty years. Since I moved to all ARC Reference gear I felt obligated to go to balanced, so, I did. Did it make a difference? Yes, but very small. Creating a truly great sounding audio system is choosing five or six outstanding and synergistic components, and then making fifty little tweaks improving the sound to be world class. The interconnects, cables, power cords, elevators, positioning… room treatments. So, this is one.