Thanks @atmasphere. I already have 2549 single ended ICs at a few location in my system, so converting them to balanced is what I’ll do.
When to choice XLR over RCA ICs.
If your IC connections are 1m or less is there a difference between using XLR over RCA Interconnects?
As one moves up the ICs cable lines with a manufacturer (ex. Audioquest) which connections would you upgrade first and in what order.
My system is McIntosh (C12000 two part preamp, Men220 room equalizer, MC611 mono-amps), Audioquest (AQ) Niagara 5000 line conditioner, and Hi-Fi Rose 150b streamer.
I am currently using AQ Black Beauty XLR ICs. I have a pair of 1m Firebird RCA ICs and would like to replace one of the Black Beauty ICs in system configuration. Future upgrades looking for recommendations.
Presently using a AQ 2m Thunder 20A power cord from wall socket to Niagara.
Using 4ft AQ William Tell (Silver) bi-wire combo speaker cable (mono-amps to 800d3 speakers.
Thank you, Please advise.
Bob
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@cleeds - RE:
Unfortunately all things are not equal because of the following...
OK, so even with the very best cables we are talking miniscule differences here, but the signle ended RCA interconnect for a 1-2 meter cable will always be just a little superior to an XLR ables of a similar design/geometry/build. Due to the complexities of cable design there are very few people that will step upto the task of designing/building cables having their own geometry. So, for the most part the XLR cable will "generally" prove to be superior. But if you are into custom built cables having their own noise supressing geometry you can spare some expense by building a single ended cable that will better the performance of a similalrly designed XLR cable. Unfrotunately, since the internal design approaches between the XLR circuit and the single ended circuit within a component can vary, actually proving which is better is incredibly hard, especially if the component’s design is based on a balanced approach and the RCA is there just to accomodate a customer perceived preference. Regards - Steve
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Hmmm, that's quite a claim. It's not too difficult to buy XLR connectors that are essentially electrically perfect, so I don't see how it's possible to get "significantly better" than that.
Not when used between differentially balanced components that yield 6 dB better gain (or s/n) when operated in balanced mode, such as ARC. |
@cleeds - re:
The KLE Innovations RCA have always been outstanding RCA connectors and according to others that have compared them to some very good XLR connectors on cables of similar contruction methods and maerials, the KLEI RCA’s performed better.
RE:
In my view, an extra 6db gain does not result in improved dynamics, clarity and details - it’s just louder Since personal preferemces tend to play a large role in cable selection e.g...
But debating the differences between XLR and RCA for a high performance cable really is a moot point, however...
If a person really wants to improve their sound by replacing cables then I would really recommend they follow the link included in my first post above which covers the improvements that can be achieved by ensuring their cables use modern geometry, improved metals and insulations and state of the art and connectors. Regards - Steve |
No, it's not just "louder." For the same output level, the differentially balanced connection (such as with ARC) will yield a 6 dB better s/n.
Why would I forsake that 6 dB gain (or s/n advantage) in a connection such as between pickup arm and phono preamp? That makes no sense. And there's no way your unbalanced connection can equal the noise rejection of a balanced circuit. That's why we have balanced circuits. |
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