XLR or single ended cables and why?

Tvad sez:

however XLR should prove quieter on very long runs or in set-ups where many cords come in contact with each other.

Exactly. Plus the common mode rejection (i.e. "noise" that is common to both sides of the channel is cancelled out). Often it is twice as loud (spl) at the same volume control setting.

Shadorne, Is it a big deal to have an extra increase of 6db with XLR ? That's a lot of extra juice. Running either at 4 or 8 ohm, It requires double in wattage power for each 3db increase. Isn't it ? BTW, I have my MD. pulled the wool out of my ears the other day. Thanks for the advise.

Simple answer: With your Krell gear, you should definitely try out a balanced connection (and this is regardless of how long your cable run is). You don't need to commit first to purchasing the XLR interconnects if you can borrow a pair from a friend or a store demo for audition. Of course it would be ideal if you could either get ahold of a pair that corresponds to your usual reference single-ended IC's, or else wrangle pairs of the same audition model in both XLR and RCA versions so that the comparison isn't confounded by uncontrolled variables. Then just listen, not for noise per se, but for probably somewhat subtle (which is not to say unimportant) musical differences, especially concerning transient, dynamic, spatial, tone color saturation, and transparency/resolution qualities. Remember that because a balanced connection will usually yield a higher volume than single-ended (typically about 6dB hotter), for valid results always compensate with the volume control to equalize levels when performing A/B comparisons.

In my limited experience, I tend to agree with balanced cables for balanced electronics. Krell states that both components you have are balanced. Nothing to get excited or impatient about. Mortgage or rent, food, beer, and some good CD's come first.

Ghostrider45,

You are right that I have oversimplified.

RCA uses ground to carry half of the signal whilst XLR uses an additional wire. Signal levels are different as well. Circuits are designed differently too. Using the chassis for carrying part of the signal (RCA) does run an increased risk of picking up noise. A larger signal (balanced) with shielded cables (XLR) will be relatively more immune to noise.

But all this is really splitting hairs when considering most domestic applications. Many consumer grade equipment manufacturers offer only RCA connections and for good reasons; the majority find these circuit designs/connections perfectly acceptable.