Please clear up my confusion re: meaning of "balanced" !

The non-technical answer in audio is that a balanced connector (type XLR) uses one of the three legs for a ground wire. The only thing to know is some audio designs are a fully "balanced" ground and some are not. A fully balanced ground design lets you run long runs with adding noise to the system and are often at a higher level than the unbalanced connectors (RCA type).  

Thanks for your responses.

@russ69:

Yes-- this is the distinction that concerns me-- connecting a "fully balanced" component to one that merely has XLR connectors.  

I read the Wikipedia article, but am still unclear regarding my question about connecting the two components I mentioned. 

I guess I will have to ask the manufacturers directly. 

There are differentially balanced equipment that the circuit is fully balanced, then there are balanced equipment that uses transformers to still get a balanced connection. There are some equipment that use XLR's but don't have a balanced connection.

Yes you can connect them. Balanced topology or not does not affect that in the least.

Here is a very simple rule that will serve you well throughout all your life, audio and otherwise: if the connectors fit, you can use them. Period.

Every single connector on every single thing made in every single country on Earth works this way. They are all designed in order to prevent damage, specifically risk of fire. Why everyone isn't told this, or hasn't figured it out, is one of the great mysteries of life.

@stuartk ,
PM or call Ralph Karsten (atmasphere).
In fact, if you search the Audiogon archives, you'll find many of his posts explaining the rational of the 'balanced topography'.
As you seem to have found, some equipment offers balanced input/outputs, but in order to achieve the AES 47 standard, the equipment must adhere to that standard. Otherwise, you might get unwanted interactions- like hum.
B