2. amps-preamps
  3. 128510-2280

Why Single-Ended?

I’ve long wondered why some manufacturers design their components to be SE only. I work in the industry and know that "balanced" audio lines have been the pro standard (for grounding and noise reduction reasons) and home stereo units started out as single-ended designs.

One reason components are not balanced is due to cost, and it’s good to be able to get high quality sound at an affordable price.
But, with so many balanced HiFi components available these days, why have some companies not offered a fully-balanced amp or preamp in their product line?
I’m referring to fine companies such as Conrad Johnson, Consonance, Coincident, and Bob Carver’s tube amps. CJ builds amps that sell for $20-$39K, so their design is not driven by cost.

The reason I’m asking is because in a system you might have a couple of balanced sources, balanced preamp, and then the final stage might be a tube amp or monoblocks which have SE input. How much of the total signal is lost in this type of setup? IOW, are we missing out on sonic bliss by mixing balanced and unbalanced?

128x128lowrider57
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,803 posts
 
Yes! It brings the shield into play as part of the signal. IOW its not just for shielding any more. As soon as that happens, then the cable imposes considerably more artifact.
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57 OP
5,417 posts
 
Thanks Ralph, I get it now. My many questions have been answered.
audiofreak32's avatar
audiofreak32
281 posts
 
I have found most of the time that users go to XLR connections because they think they are "cool"... the fact is that RCA sounds better the majority of the time anyway.
wolf_garcia
6,695 posts
 
The "artifact" or whatever it was that sucked using the Mogami XLR cables was just with them specifically as other XLR cables sounded fine, so hey…it’s still a little mysterious. Also, after years of using XLR cables in pro audio I am absolutely in the camp of them being a way better idea if only in the mechanical aspect of the plugs, although they do sound exactly the same as RCAs in my Jolida (I checked, and figured yeah…not really a balanced input)…they lock on and don’t move so mo bettah in my view. I use RCAs also of course, but they seem in need of a better design like phono plugs…phono plugs are something from a 1920s switchboard, and are a pain in the ass and a lame design really, but I use ’em all the time of course since I mix shows and play guitar and somehow the things work mostly. I like Neutrik Speakon plugs also, and they’re made in Lichtenstein.
sbank's avatar
sbank
3,378 posts
 
@audiofreak32 I think your post is silly and doesn't match my experience at all. OTOH, I think your icon photo is excellent and shows a highly recommended addition to any system. Cheers,
Spencer
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