2. amps-preamps
  3. 173355-53619

Anybody use a single ended component with one that is balanced?

I currently have a single ended pass xa25 amp which is excellent but am looking to upgrade to an arc balanced pre. I was told arc works best balanced but I will have to use the rcas.

Anybody been in a situation like this? Will I really be compromising the sound of the arc using it in single ended mode? I know there are people who prefer single ended.

 

roxy1927
oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
3,932 posts
 

I’ve used XLR to RCA from my tuner and it sounded great.   I used it to get FM into my Vault 2i so I could have remote volume for casual listening 

avanti1960
1,484 posts
 

@roxy1927 

I am saying there is a possibility that it will sound better using the adapter to use the balanced outs.  Definitely worth a try.  

lous's avatar
lous
203 posts
 

My Yggdrasil sounds far better using the balanced outs, but my DS2 prep and ML 27.5 only have SE inputs, so I have a balanced to RCA adapter coming from the Yggdrasil. You can get a straight adapter or one with the XLR on one end and an RCA on the other end.

Mine;

 

 

 

som
75 posts
 

I never heard much of a difference between se and balanced on Bryston and Anthen amps but I heard a huge difference on my Pass amp when I switched to balanced inputs so I’d say it depends on the design 

jfuquay
108 posts
 

I have run my Pass diy Amp Camp monoblocs in both, each time with a Pass diy preamp — the Zen Balanced Line Stage  and the (SE) B1 Korg Nutube model. (The DAC is also balanced output.) The ZBLS has both outputs, but I think the Amp Camps definitely sound best in balanced. The B1 has only RCA, so no comparison, but what a sweet sound. 

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