Long run XLR cables


Are there significant improvements to be gained by using home audio specific cables versus high quality pro audio cables such as Mogami or Monster. I don’t like frittering money away unnecessarily but I recently switched my main cables from Mogami gold to SVS soundpath when I need new subwoofer cables and I noticed a slight veil over the sound when I switched. Any thought and insights would be appreciated.

johnnybwood

Johnny,

The issue is on both ends though, and usually it's the amps that don't support it.  Usually, just ask if they use "truly differential" XLR connections.  That will often be enough.

 

Best,

 

Erik

Thanks for that Erik! It’s a McIntosh MC7200 and I believe it is. I’m getting a pair of Rel s510 sub and planning to connect them via high level inputs so I’ll need to verify for hookup anyway.

OP: 

Based on the owners manual, page 6, it looks like this is a truly balanced input.  You will be OK.  :)

Best,

 

Erik

Thanks Erik, just off the phone with a very helpful guy at McIntosh who confirmed that. He also said anytime you have balanced connections they will outperform single ended no matter how much you spend according to results of bench testing. He also has a 7200.

OP:

Glad to hear it. I’d be curious to know if his results were more than just about common mode noise reduction. This is proven to be better with differential lines, but not sure how often it matters in short runs at home where EMI/RFI pickup is already pretty low.