XLR and RCA interconnects in the same system?


Hi
I was wondering if someone could tell me if you have XLR interconnects between your cd player and your preamp and RCA between your preamp and amp does that negate the benefit of the XLR not having balanced inputs on all the components?
Thanks
mxb289
mxb289
I have'em all balanced now:
Technoarm rewired to have balanced(just split the ground wire onto two and connect +,- and ground accordingly 2x2=?); Classe 30 phono inputs rewired to balanced as well; CD to preamp balanced from the beginning; Tape in-out rewired to balanced(for AtoD recording); Headphone amp is with balanced in/outs. Did a 'brutal' job on Classe 30 chassis(this preamp I bought with imperfect chassis for the low hundreds). Had to eliminate 'video' and 'aux' inputs in order to increase space. Other than that, the preamp is fully balanced from the beginning with all necessary isolation of negative signal path from the ground. Piece of cake just like rewireing to convert all inputs you need. Certainly out pre to poweramp is balanced from the beginning.
There's no indeed RCA cable for ANY price that will sound better than cheap XLR.
The effect on the analogue set up was extreamly amazing: gain, definition control went high up above!
I now have a few projects of converting to balanced that I implement for friends for now (SS equipment only for now but will think of tube designs as well). I plan to charge x-amount per converting each input/output unbalanced to balanced and probably 3...4x amount for converting same for tube equipment depending on amount of chassis work.
Hi again Liz.... Actually isn't "theory" as you suggest. Anyone doing an A/B between balanced and single ended can clearly hear the difference. I guess using mid-fi equipment it makes no difference....however in the persuit of perfection, balanced is indeed better.

K4r...just plain "Nope" with the caveat that there may be some minor benefit using XLR with non balanced circuit...however, the real benefit comes with fully differentially balanced circuitry.
I understand the theory of both balanced interconnections and of balanced circuit design and they accomplish different things. So, Stringreen, which is the "real benefit?"

Kal
Kr4....listen and be enlightened. I am a musician, not a scientist. I place my trust in my ears.