The manufacturer and dealer both recommended XLR interconnects for my integrated amp and CDP-DAC.
.
So I experimented with an A-B shoot-out later at home, just as a "WTF...let’s see...".
Yup....there were both right. In my "A" system, the XLRs were the clear winner, far and away.... full stop.
Takeaway:
There is no absolute rule as to which will sound better.
It is entirely
(a) system synergy as-a-whole dependent in the first part, and
(b) the equipment and IC (both) build quality dependent.
In my "B" system(s), the comparison of using RCA interconnects versus balanced interconnects showed no audible differences between them; without prejudice to the fact much of my lower tier gear was predisposed to RCAs with RCA designed boards.
Admittedly, the price, and build quality of both the "B" system electronics equipment and the "B" system interconnects themselves was a very large step down from the "A" system gear and the "A" system interconnects.
FWIW.....
.
So I experimented with an A-B shoot-out later at home, just as a "WTF...let’s see...".
Yup....there were both right. In my "A" system, the XLRs were the clear winner, far and away.... full stop.
Takeaway:
There is no absolute rule as to which will sound better.
It is entirely
(a) system synergy as-a-whole dependent in the first part, and
(b) the equipment and IC (both) build quality dependent.
In my "B" system(s), the comparison of using RCA interconnects versus balanced interconnects showed no audible differences between them; without prejudice to the fact much of my lower tier gear was predisposed to RCAs with RCA designed boards.
Admittedly, the price, and build quality of both the "B" system electronics equipment and the "B" system interconnects themselves was a very large step down from the "A" system gear and the "A" system interconnects.
FWIW.....
