2. cables
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balanced vs. unbalanced sound quality

hi all i just got a theta dreadnaught amp and i currently have it hooked up through the unbalanced inputs.

i dont know very much about this topic, so i was wondering if i got balanced cables, would the sound quality improve? i will be using all 1 meter cables.

i know that higher end cables will sound better, but lets just say that the balanced cables would be of the same quality as the unbalanced.

thanks all,
cheers
nineballg
daverz
487 posts
 
I like the more secure locking connection that XLR connectors provide, and the better grounding between components. However, you do pay more, sometimes significantly more, for good XLR connections on gear.
tmsorosk
1,013 posts
 
My vote goes to balanced . Lower noise floor and bigger sound stage .
audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
>>12-09-10: Tmsorosk
Lower noise floor and bigger sound stage<<

Not true at all.

System/component dependent.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Tmsorcsk, Yours is a generalization with many exceptions. I`ve heard many comparisons where single end was either as good or in some cases clearly better. As stated above system dependent always.
tmsorosk
1,013 posts
 
Charles1dad ... most things audio have exceptions . I guess in stead of saying my vote was for balanced , I should have said my personal experience and preference was for balanced . I have had no less than 4 solid state power amps , 4 solid state preamps , 1 tube preamp , and 2 C.D. players in my system in the last 12 years or so , and have found fairly uniform results with cabling this way . I'm wondering if your preference is based more on tubes ? Ether way happy listening .
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