Using both balanced and single ended outputs at the same time?

I’ve done that successfully out of a Sony SACD player with both XLR and RCA, and a DBX Equalizer, just to compare the sound. I never experienced a quality improvement, i.e. never had any noise to eliminate, never heard ’better’, but I did find a slight volume increase using the XLR out.

There are subtle differences of ’true balanced’ outputs as per _____ spec, and ’balanced type’ ... too much detail for me to try and remember, just know that all XLR are not equal.

I like that my XLR connectors are the locking type, not easily dislodged/disturbed, whereas RCA connectors can be inadvertently troublesome.

Splitters, I've used them several times over many years, never had a problem, but always felt it was unauthorized.

+1 @elliottbnewcombjr , I will add that my with my Audionet equipment, they strongly recommend single ended (rca) cables.  My understanding is that this avoids op transformers to convert the balanced cables back to single ended, which can only degrade the sound, no matter how well made.

@fastfreight This is very equipment specific. Most high quality devices which offer balanced outputs just mirror the hot signal with similar components, but perhaps only at the very output stage. It’s a bit of fear mongering to say that balanced outputs are normally inferior. They are not. In some cases however the inputs may make no difference. I know of at least a couple of amps which have XLR inputs and then ground the (-) pin. The XLR is just a convenience.

OTOH, using a transformer based output has the advantage of never causing a ground loop.

No doubt @erik_squires ,  I was surprised to learn Audionet strongly recommended single ended connections.  I too like the lock of the balanced cables.  I do bump my K-S Realization cables loose sometimes, and have to keep and eye on that.  But this was confirmed not only by my dealer but Audionet as well.  I do believe that many seek balanced thinking they are superior though, when often they may not be.

Honestly we don’t need balanced cables in the home very often, but in areas where you have a lot of Ethernet and HDMI cables running around they add some additional noise rejection.

Unless you have a long run, I’d be surprised if anyone ever heard a difference.

I was once at a show in a high rise in NY, with Coda gear and boy could we have used it then.