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New TT : Balanced vs. Unbalanced Connection?

I am in a six-month process of assembling a system will last me for the next 5-10 years. I’m set on the components, so please do not try to talk me out of my selections. My question here is a technical one.

I have purchased a Thorens TD–1601 and a Nagaoka MP–200 cartridge. I am trying to decide on the Integrated amp between Yamaha’s A-S3200 and A-S2200. The key difference for this question being the A-S3200 has two balanced inputs and the A-S2200 has one. I will use the first balanced connection to connect a recently purchased HiFi Rose RS-150b Streamer/DAC.

Now to my real question. The semi-automatic Thorens TD-1601 has both balanced and unbalanced outputs. I am considering buying a Schitt Skoll phono pre which has balanced in-and-out. In that case, I would buy the Yamaha A-S3200, needing two balanced inputs.

So, ASSUMING the phono preamp on the Yamaha A-S2200 is comparable to the Schitt Skoll, will I get markedly better sound by going fully unbalanced, with the Skoll and the much more expensive A-S3200, or unbalanced direct from Thorens TT into the highly regarded phone pre of the A-S2200?

What benefits will I get by going balanced? How much benefit? It is worth the complexity, extra box, cables, $2,000-3,000? I can afford it if much better, but don’t want to spend money unnecessarily. The TT and the integrated will be right next to each other, so distance is not a factor. Or is the A-S3200 that much better? …I like the BIGGER meters.

My current speakers are Paradigm Reference Studio 40 v2, which I love and have two pair, a super sleeper. They are not likely to be changed…one day Fyne Audio.

To reiterate, this is a technical question about the merits of balanced turntable connections. Thanks for the input. I have learned much from this forum over the last few years.

 

gemoody
baylinor's avatar
baylinor
1,221 posts
 

I use balanced everywhere in my system except from TT to phono preamp since the VPI Classic 1 and PS Audio Stellar do not offer it. I do notice a bit higher gain with balanced connections so it would make sense that it may be helpful with extremely low output mc cartridges. However my Lyra Kleos at 0.5 mV does not qualify. In fact it sounds better on the Stellar low gain setting than the recommended medium one, hence balanced may be a detriment in my specific setup. 

lewm
12,524 posts
 

Baylinor, The VPI Classic being a tt certainly has nothing to do with the balanced vs SE distinction. So I assume you mean to say that the VPI tonearm is not wired for a balanced connection. But I’d guess it most certainly is. It probably offers separate hot and ground for each channel in SE mode, plus a ground wire probably attached to the tonearm body, 5 wires in total. All you would have to do is remove the RCA plugs, and replace them with XLRs, where hot goes to pin2 on the XLR, ground (now negative phase) goes to pin3, and the ground wire to pin1. but yes, you would also need a balanced phono stage. The PS Audio Stellar is by reputation so good that maybe you need not bother. And it does have balanced outputs.

baylinor's avatar
baylinor
1,221 posts
 

@lewm 

I thank you for your detailed description of an unbalanced to balanced conversion for a tonearm. Something to keep in my files.

davetheoilguy
115 posts
 

@baylinor 

VPI actually sells a ready made balanced connection in its accessories.  
 

$500 with cardis wiring and connections.  It’s on the website.

Two screws and five wires.  Plug in.

gemoody OP
127 posts
 

OP here. Lots of good information. Some takeaways:

If I went with the cheaper amp, and only one balanced connection, it might be better used on the TT versus the streamer/DAC.

Will be up to me to know whether to spend the extra dough. I feel like I’d be happier, longer, with A-S3200.

I will need to be patient for a good used deal to come up.

thanks for all the good, helpful input. 

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