Which Signal Gets The XLR Input?


Hi Folks, I have a 4 input Backert Labs preamp. It has (1) balanced input. There are two contenders: A Hegel CDP4 mk II CD player and a streamer I haven't bought yet. I listen to radio a lot but are the balanced connections wasted on the signal quality? Inquiring minds wish to know. All responses are appreciated.  Regards, Scott
scottya118
Hopefully you will buy a streamer that will outperform your CD player... thus making your CD player superfluous and you would use the XLR for that.
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Since the streamer is the gateway to nearly infinite music at CD quality and higher I recommend making it a priority to make sure you choose one that sounds better. Qubuz (or Tidal) have significant high Rez content and it is increasing every day. For the price of one CD a month you get access to more music than you could listen to in a lifetime. You also get access to thousands of web radio channels... at very high quality.
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I had resisted thinking the streamer mattered for nearly ten years (and things changed over that time). But I got an high end audio one, completely changed my point of view. I now own two Aurender streamers... highly recommended. I also owned a Auralic.
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So I recommend thinking of your streamer as the most important component you will be choosing and not a little addition... another choice of what to listen to.