Balanced vs. Single Ended Interconnects

If the lengths are short, and there is not hum, then one may not hear any difference… because there probably is not any significant difference.

I would add that short lengths will minimize the effects that a cable can exert on  sound reproduction-aka Cable coloration.

I think Ralph Karsten has it right. Equipment using the AES 48 standard will allow you to use an XLR cable that will have minimal effect upon sound reproduction. (Which is why they use that standard in recording studios).

Using an XLR cable with equipment that doesn't support the AES standard means that all bets are off-Any cable may or may not affect sound reproduction. And, YMMV.

FWIW, I used the cables Ralph sold me with his amps/preamps(-Mogami), when my dealer recommended AQ, I really couldn't hear much of a difference, despite the AQ being significantly more expensive. (I forget the model, but they did not have the dielectric system). Once again, YMMV.

B

My interpretation of an old almarg post is that some noise rejection may occur connecting XLR with just one of the units being balanced, so I gave it a try. 

FWIW, I used the cables Ralph sold me with his amps/preamps(-Mogami), when my dealer recommended AQ, I really couldn't hear much of a difference, despite the AQ being significantly more expensive. (I forget the model, but they did not have the dielectric system). Once again, YMMV.

@gdnrbob I am making some cables up in the silver cotton insulated wire, and will then use a shield which is either a large wound around it all, or a weaved jacket.

I doubt it will make much of a difference, but I can make another pair if you want to try that approach. And as Ralph says it doesn’t matter, then it may not make sense.

But if there is any truth the theory behind the DBS, then changing the dielectric to cotton will mitigate them needing to be biased, as cotton does not likely polarise like teflon.

I need some short ones for the TT to phono and then to the preamp, so I figured, “What the heck”

@holmz ,

I am up to any trial you would want to perform.

Though I am an adherent to the new AQ cables, I am open to trying new things-esp, things that have an intrinsic scientific background- like using cotton instead of a DBS system.

You only know when you try it. And, as a gardener, I'll try anything-Except incest.😉

B

holmz ,

I am up to any trial you would want to perform.

Though I am an adherent to the new AQ cables, I am open to trying new things-esp, things that have an intrinsic scientific background- like using cotton instead of a DBS system.

You only know when you try it. And, as a gardener, I'll try anything-Except incest.😉

B

I’ll message you, and find out the length.
If you don’t keep them, then I can recycle them back into another cable.