Balanced interconnects vs. Analog

beernut,

Pro audio uses balanced cables. Try some inexpensive pro-audio stuff and see if it floats your boat. Mogami is a major manufacturer of pro-audio cables. It's what the pros use. If it's good enough for them....

BTW, I don't have any components that have balanced inputs/outputs so I'm really just talking out of my arse. Take it for what it's worth......

Belden, Mogami and Canare are ok, but they don't come close to a decent or better set of cables. Anyone who's really compared them, knows better or their equipment isn't there to begin with. A lot of affordable balanced cables that are far better than the pro audio stuff. I use Canare on stage for a few reasons; it's very flexible, reliable, sounds decent and is forgiving - meaning not ultra revealing, and most importantly when you need many feet it is cheap. If you're on a real tight budget all the above are very good for the money, but if can spend anymore you will be happier. Can't speak for your gear, but some gear has XLR jacks for convenience only and are not a balanced circuit, so in that case you really won't get much or any improvement. Before you invest money in a balanced cable verify if your gear is truly balanced; if they are then I would make the change.

I respect your opinion but there is a difference between onstage performance and playback in your home. Balanced interconnects will modify the effects of EMI and RFI with all those electrical signals criss-crossing in a studio. Not sure if it applies to home audio. Your observation that not all equipment is truly balanced is valid. I believe in the science. Blue Jeans cables uses Belden when appropriate. Good luck 

You would have to experiment to determine which ones, balanced or RCAs sound better with your equipment. They may also just sound different. If you decide to buy any cables thinking that you might have to sell them later, don't buy anything shorter than 1 meter or you will have trouble selling them. And yeah, comparing Mogami with true audiophile cables would not be fair, with some exceptions as I heard.