SQ difference XLR vs RCA ?

I’ve read lots of the discussions on this forum about balanced vs single ended connections. My understanding so far is that balanced connection has better signal to noise than single ended, which helps if you have hum or noise problems or if you have long runs.
My question is this: if I have a quiet system with short runs, do balanced connections sound better?

mabonn08-23-2022 6:07pm

...
36 posts total
View entire discussion

lalitk Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 5,608 posts 08-23-2022 at 07:47pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Nope, unless you own components that sports balanced design. Components with unbalanced design even with XLR jacks offers no improvements over RCA with short run of Interconnects cables. When in doubt, check manufacturer specifications :-)
carlsbad Details Discussions Posts This discussion 1,551 posts 08-23-2022 at 09:33pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete RCA and XLR can be implemented differently. I think your question assumes that they are the same signal sent through RCA wires or XLR wires. But XLR can be implemented different ways. Often a small transformer is used in the XLR input. This will change SQ, maybe better, maybe worse. It may pair well with your preamp, it may not. So implementation methods of XLR may make your question more complicated than you meant and answerers may not realize how their xlr is implemented. In my amp, Decware, it is hard to compare. The XLR amps have a transformer that adds about 8dB of gain. so you have to adjust volume to try to do an A/B. Right now Im using XLR. However, I've upgraded my RCA connectors coming out of the amp and may go back and forth. I don't have a strong opinion.
ditusa Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 1,901 posts 08-23-2022 at 11:59pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete @mabonn, SQ difference XLR vs RCA ? See article below: Mike http://www.atma-sphere.com/en/resource-why-balanced.html
jjss49 Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 6,612 posts 08-24-2022 at 02:32am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete no, most likely
holmz Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 2,328 posts 08-24-2022 at 03:23am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete My question is this: if I have a quiet system with short runs, do balanced connections sound better? They should not sound worse. As the noise increases, and the runs get longer, the balanced stays better for longer. Basically: If it sounds good now, then do not change it. If you are looking at an equipment change, which is more immune to noise, then balanced helps.