High end Cables not important for certain electronics?

Yes, in the case of balanced interconnects equipment can be designed such that there will be little or no sensitivity to cable differences. Atmasphere has explained the requirements, and offered what I consider to be compelling proof of his contention, in his post dated 3-22-2013 near the beginning of this thread. Also see his answer to my follow-up question later in that thread. Unfortunately, though, as he indicated the majority of consumer-oriented audio equipment (and a lot of pro-oriented equipment as well) does not meet those requirements.

I looked at the link you provided, including the block diagram and text shown under the "read more" link, and it looks like the Makua preamp might conform to the requirements Ralph cited. But to be certain about that more information would be necessary, probably including a schematic.

Regards,
-- Al

Since I am about to purchase a fairly long pair of balanced cables, I read that thread with great interest. I’d love to be able to buy some well-made ‘basic’ xlr cables from an assembler like Blue Jeans Cable and not worry that I was short-changing my gear.  

The cables would connect a PS Audio BHK preamp to PS Audio Stellar M 700 mono power amps. Is it possible to tell from the kind of information available on the PS Audio website whether or not the BHK preamp meets the criteria that Atmasphere describes?  They specify output impedance at less than 100 ohms, which seems good, and there is repeated reference in their product description to “fully balanced” and “fully differential”.  But their design permits use of single ended and balanced outputs at the same time, and Atmasphere seemed to be saying that a design that ‘met the standard’ would need to include a switch to go between balanced and single-ended outputs.  

(According to Atmasphere,  the crucial question is whether or not the preamp “puts signal current on the ground connection of the cable,” and, if both single-ended and balanced outputs can be used at the same time, then it is likely (certain?) that it does.) 

 I am curious as to what aspect of the design leads to this type of statement.

Not design. Marketing. 

Is it possible to tell from the kind of information available on the PS Audio website whether or not the BHK preamp meets the criteria that Atmasphere describes? ... their design permits use of single ended and balanced outputs at the same time, and Atmasphere seemed to be saying that a design that ‘met the standard’ would need to include a switch to go between balanced and single-ended outputs.

@tcatch,

No, I wouldn’t interpret Ralph’s (Atmasphere’s) comments to mean that a balanced/unbalanced switch for the outputs is necessary for the criteria he stated to be met.

If the unbalanced outputs are not connected to anything then their presence would presumably have no relevance to whether or not the balanced outputs meet the criteria. And even if they are connected to some component, if the preamp drives them with an output stage that is separate from the one which drives the balanced outputs they still would have no relevance to whether or not the balanced outputs meet the criteria. (Some designs which provide both balanced and unbalanced outputs drive the two sets of outputs with separate output stages, although many and I suspect most just provide the RCA connectors with one of the two signals in the balanced pair of signals that are provided to the XLR connectors).

The low output impedance of the BHK preamp is encouraging with respect to the criteria Ralph stated involving drive capability, as you realize. **If** the preamp connects pin 1 of the XLR connectors to chassis/AC safety ground (as opposed to circuit ground) it would be encouraging (although not conclusive) with respect to the criterion you asked about, but of course that can’t be determined from the information provided at the website.

The bottom line would seem to be that it would be best to ask PS Audio if their design meets the criteria Ralph stated.

Good luck. Regards,
-- Al