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...
- I’ve known people that prefered using Duelund tinned copper over pure OCC copper, just because it sounds better to their ears
- technically, OCC is faster and less prone to the timing distortions that occur when you mix two types of metal
But debating the differences between XLR and RCA for a high performance cable really is a moot point, however...
- people should be aware that the differences really are miniscule in high quality cables today, so opting for RCA is not really settling for second best any more
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?
@williewonka @cleeds The 6dB increase in volume only occurs if the balanced line standard is ignored.
For example in the case of a phono cartridge, the output level does not change if the cartridge is operated either way. IOW the cartridge when operated balanced, conforms to AES48 (the balanced standard).
But if operated balanced, you have up to a 6dB improvement in the signal to noise ratio of the gain stage itself. You also have the rejection of noise that is common to the non-inverted and inverted parts of the signal. So a power transformer by the cable is far less able to induce hum into it.
The 6dB improvement in signal to noise of the gain stage is theoretical. The greater the differential effect that is winnowed out of the gain stage the more you approach that possibility. To that end, and this is directed at cleeds, the constant current source feeding the differential amplifier is the key to the differential amplifier's performance. So if you wanted to improve your ARC preamp's performance this would be the thing to investigate.
I see the really big advantage of balanced lines in that you don't have to have an expensive cable with exotic materials for it to sound just as good as a cable that does have the exotic construction and materials. IOW you get cable immunity. I've demonstrated this many times over the last 40 years.
Where this really plays out well is the tonearm cable! If there is any place to really get it right, this is it, because no matter how good your preamp, amps and speakers are, they can't make up for any losses to the signal upstream.
