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Newbie: unbalanced versus XLR on DAC

I have an Arcam rDAC that I'd like to hook up to some monoblock amps and Thiel PCS speakers.

I know the consensus is that XLR > unbalanced inputs, but is the difference so great that I should go out and get a new DAC? Or all other things being equal is balanced okay?

(And consensus is also that long interconnects and short speaker cable runs is better than the other way round, right?)

Thanks very much!
aik
swampwalker's avatar
swampwalker
5,138 posts
 
I would not get a new DAC just to be able to run balanced interconnects unless I had a very long run; like maybe 20' or more, UNLESS my amp was designed specifically to run balanced.
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face
516 posts
 
Balanced generally has a lower noise floor.
sandstone
358 posts
 
The rDAC looks like a neat unit that has elements from some very high-shelf designers (dCS and Wolfram). Arcam also has years of experience producing top source gear without balanced outputs.

Suggest you might want to

- Use USB (with length of 8 feet or less - and forget using any wireless) to take full advantage of Asynchronous mode.

- Experiment with feeding it battery power, to replace its stock, inexpensive, switched power source.

Let us know how it works out for you.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Great answers by Herman and Elizabeth.There`s much hype and theory, but unless you have to run very long IC cables, some of the very best sounding systems do just fine with un balanced components and IC cable. Now when it comes to Balanced AC power, that`s a different story you`ll certainly hear a difference for the better.
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