All things being equal (hypothetical) which do you prefer, XLR or RCA?


Hello All,

Just curious here. All things being equal would you go balanced or unbalanced if you have the option for both? I only ask because I've never really compared-though I have gone both routes at different times. I have gone the balanced route now (power amp to pre, and DAC to pre), but wonder which route you all would choose...Just curious and having some fun...
kingbr
Many comparisons with various gear over 2 decades shows that dynamics are better, contrast is better, low level detail is superior and bass definition and impact are improved with true balanced XLR cables used with true balanced gear ⚙️ 
I have recently started using the XLR version of Van den Hul The Second instead of the RCA version (both one metre lengths) between pre-amp and power amp, and have been pleased with the outcome. Not an earth shattering improvement, but to my ears there has been a subtle change for the better.
I agree with dave_b. I have even noticed a big difference using an XLR  jumper from RCA too XLR.
i agree that for some, long runs across areas with strong sources of interference will show the benefits of xlr connections and cable, but i suspect that in just as many (if not more) cases the apparent sonic ’benefit’ is due to the balanced source delivering twice the voltage swing to the receiving component

lots of people fail to properly compensate for volume differences and are swayed by the subtly (or not so subtle) louder version they hear

in any a-b comparison loudness compensation is absolutely critical -- our ears are impressed by 'louder', even by fractions of a decibel
If you have a preamp that takes both balanced and single ended devices and a source that supplies both switch back and forth between say three foot balanced cables and three foot single ended ones correcting for any volume differences. See if you can really tell the difference. I just did this experiment with digital cables comparing AES, SPDIF and Optical types. No difference at all over short distances.