Some people actually prefer RCA over XLR. Keep in mind, just because there is an XLR connection, it doesn’t mean it is truly balanced.
- ...
- 25 posts total
It depends. If the balance of your gear is fully differentially balanced then you will typically find some degradation in sound quality if you use the single ended inputs and outputs. Examples of this where it really makes a difference are brands like BAT, Ayre Acoustics, Esoteric, etc... If your system is not differentially balanced, the gear simply offers XLRs, then usually you will find the RCA connectors will sound as good or better unless there is a bad noise problem. |
And there in lies the huge challenge manufacturers don’t really explain it very well. They say it’s balanced but then again is it really truly balanced for purposes of determining if it’s better to use XLR’s or a simple RCA connection.
This is why people can’t stand buying new equipment with these stupid challenges. Conrad Johnson I guess makes a really good product but they don’t use XLR. The streamer i use recommends XLR, a lumen. So wtf should you do? I guess you need to buy really good RCA cables to address any deficiencies. And the rabbit hole gets deeper |
A lot of his queries are "odd", to say the least...... |
Of course one of the goals of balanced operation is to eliminate the ’sound’ of cables; if set up correctly a cheap cable can sound every bit as good as an expensive cable. Look at it as a technology that successfully solved the interconnect cable issue (and did so long ago). There are balanced tube preamps around FWIW. If you want to get the most out of going balanced, make sure the preamp supports AES48, the balanced line standard. If inquiring about this and the manufacturer does not seem to know AES48, it usually means it does not support the standard. |
- 25 posts total