Using both balanced and single ended outputs at the same time?

@fastfreight This is very equipment specific. Most high quality devices which offer balanced outputs just mirror the hot signal with similar components, but perhaps only at the very output stage. It’s a bit of fear mongering to say that balanced outputs are normally inferior. They are not. In some cases however the inputs may make no difference. I know of at least a couple of amps which have XLR inputs and then ground the (-) pin. The XLR is just a convenience.

OTOH, using a transformer based output has the advantage of never causing a ground loop.

No doubt @erik_squires ,  I was surprised to learn Audionet strongly recommended single ended connections.  I too like the lock of the balanced cables.  I do bump my K-S Realization cables loose sometimes, and have to keep and eye on that.  But this was confirmed not only by my dealer but Audionet as well.  I do believe that many seek balanced thinking they are superior though, when often they may not be.

Honestly we don’t need balanced cables in the home very often, but in areas where you have a lot of Ethernet and HDMI cables running around they add some additional noise rejection.

Unless you have a long run, I’d be surprised if anyone ever heard a difference.

I was once at a show in a high rise in NY, with Coda gear and boy could we have used it then.

erik_squires

... we don’t need balanced cables in the home very often, but in areas where you have a lot of Ethernet and HDMI cables running around they add some additional noise rejection ...

There's more to it than just that. If you're using components with truly balanced circuitry, you often get 6 dB greater output when using the balanced XLR connectors. Another way of looking at that gain is that for a given output level, you'll get 6 dB greater S/N when using balanced connections. That's a big deal.

I do this with my Schitt Mjolnir v3 preamp into a CODA #16 in my office and also into a Schitt Aegir v1 amp (headhones). I have also done the same connections using my Benchmark HPA4 preamp.

I have another Schitt Aegir amp (for headphones) sitting in a box and I would like to hook it up to my Livingroom system that has a Holo Audio Serene preamp and Schitt Wotan amp. There is a bit more danger in doing this one since I was told my the USA distributor not to do this because having both amps on at the same time (accidently) would damage the preamp.

In all 3 cases I am am referring to RCA and XLR outputs connected at the same time. I have accidently left both amps on with the Mjolnir v3 and HPA4 preamps (for and those 2 preamps did not get damaged.