Balanced Cables


Been in this hobby for approx. 3 years now and have always used RCA interconnects. However, I just purchased an ARC LS15 preamp which also has balanced input/output connectors. I am probably wrong but I don't recall seeing balanced cables for sale on the Gon. I need some education on these cables...and where is the best place to purchase these cables ? Thx
sympaticonorm
Most cable companies will offer a balanced version of their interconnects,if not most will custom make one for you if you ask.
You can get your feet wet cheaply by purchasing a pair of XLR cables from Blue Jeans. They're not fancy or expensive, just solidy built and sound pretty good too, especially for the money.

http://www.bluejeanscable.com/
If I remember correctly, the balanced input of the LS15 is the "direct in" input. This input always sounded best when I used an LS15. You definitely want to try the balanced inputs and outputs.
Sympatico,

The LS15 is a truly balanced circuit which, when used with other balanced gear, can give you common mode noise rejection benefits.

Do you have a CD player with a balanced XLR output, or amplifier with XLR in? If so, than you might consider running balanced cables.

A balanced cable has 3 identical conductors which terminate to the 3 pins you see on the XLR connector. PIN 1 is GROUND (same as the outer ring on an RCA plug), PIN 2 is the normal SIGNAL (same as the center pin on an RCA plug), and PIN 3 is a an INVERTED SIGNAL.

Many cables that are terminated with unbalanced RCA's have the necessary internal conductors to be reterminated with XLR's.
I have seem plenty of XLR interconnects for sale here on Audiogon. There are some written articles that contend that XLR is only superior to RCA when the interconnect lengths are 10ft or more. Anyone else read or hear anything such as this? I think there may have been a thread here a while back.