Balanced versus single ended

A fully compliant AES 48 installation with good cables will always measure better than a non-balanced RCA installation. Regardless of line-length, noise rejection and other cable artefacts and earth separation will be better. In theory, it should sound better - in my experience it does.

I agree!

Mike

Good read see below:

https://www.ranecommercial.com/kb_article.php?article=2107

Thank you Snilf, that is what I tried to say!

@runwell 

Thanks for the clarification. I guess this is where it comes down to what equipment you own. Mine does not sound bigger. 

My amp (Arcam) has both XLR and Phono inputs. Preamp has only has phono.

I will use 18in interconnects.

Phono to XLR cables are available. Is there any value to using these vs phono to phono?

Will most likely buy Worlds Best Mogami cables.

You absolutely convinced me that I did not need an expensive IC when using your amps and preamp. Has that changed now that I am using my AGD amps?

@mglik  I don't believe so.

@teo_audio 

Beyond that, it is a degeneration in sound quality, due to how it functions, how it works, how it is designed. (twisted pair in reflection and differential)

If one is not using it for long microphone lines, or hum reduction along said long line of very fine signals... then it has no place in home audio and is inferior to single ended.

and that’s a fact.

The supposed 6db lift comes at a price of loss of quality of micro signal aspects.

This is entirely false. The only reason its not used in the home is balanced line tends to be more expensive, especially if transformers are used to implement it. But these days transformers are not needed- for example our tube preamps have a patented direct-coupled output, and balanced outputs with semiconductors have been available for decades.

It appears you are laboring with a misconception. If the balanced line is properly implemented, there is no '6dB lift'. The balanced output is pin 2 and pin 3; the signal of pin 2 being generated with respect to pin 3 and vice versa, rather than ground. Imagine a simple output transformer secondary with one side tied to pin 2 and the other side to pin 3 and no ground connection, and you have the idea. Obviously if one side were to get grounded to drive an RCA input, the signal voltage would be the same.

If the signals are generated with respect to ground in a a balanced connection, then AES48 is not supported and you will get that '6dB lift'. 

I can't make sense of this 'twisted pair in reflection and differential' bit in your post.

BTW that 6dB lift you mention can only happen if there are two single-ended outputs that are out of phase with each other. That is not how a balanced line is implemented, and I can see problems with that if one side is slightly different gain from the other. That would mess with the input of an amplifier if it had a lower CMRR value, and it would increase the probability of ground loops, which the balanced system is supposed to lack!

The benefit of a properly set up balanced line is there even if the interconnection is only 6 inches; the length really has nothing to do with it. The rejection of noise including that of the cable itself is. IME once you hear a properly set up balanced line there is no going back to single ended.