When to choice XLR over RCA ICs.

atmasphere

Originally I ended with:

"btw, other equipment, no volume difference, so it’s the Sony xa5400’s output that is slightly stronger, not the cable."

@elliottbnewcombjr Yes. I got that; in my post above that is what I was talking about. I should have been more specific.

XLR cables and interfaces are used in audio applications because they are designed to cancel out radio interference.  One side has reverse polarity to the other.  When interference crosses the cables their signal moves the same direction across both sides. The two sides are reversed again at the interface so the stray signals sum to zero and get cancelled out.

Don't even think about it.  Just go XLR all the way!!!

I’e given a good deal of thought about this particular question and from my perspective a very well designed single ended interconnect cable is every bit as good, if not better than an XLR cable due to several factors pertaining to geometry, insulation and connectors.

• please note - I’m referring to the more conventional interconnect that is generally 1-2 meters in length and not the 35+ feet

However, for those that have both XLR connections and do not want to get into the design aspects of cables, but simply purchase an interconnect - then I would recommend going with an XLR cable for the following reasons...

• the noise cancelling design
• the cable(wire) used is generally a better quality than those used on an RCA cables
• the pins of the XLR connectors are low mass, which is now the trend on the newer styls RCA plugs, but you still see those large high mass RCA connectors glittering in Gold and Rhodium made from a large lump of metal on some very expensive interconnects.
• the insulation is often much better on an XLR cables.

Higher end cables like those from Audio Envy, Zavfino and Hijiri are a different matter altogether - either style of cable will perform well.

For more details on cable design plase read this link

• Good Cable Design

Regards - Steve.