What is the benefit of balanced xlr cables

When the tool is really build ballanced inside there is a easily difference to be heard.

For me it depends on the RCA or XLR electronics and the quality of the RCA or XLR ICs not whether it is RCA or XLR... that's how I hear it :)

Unfortunately, XLR electronics remove 2nd order harmonics as part of the XLR noise filtering/cancelling process, which our ears like, but leaves the 3rd order harmonics in place including the noise, which our ears do not like... :)

I don't say it also works better, but in most cases it does when it is build real balanced inside.

"Perhaps Audioquest RCA ICs could be better, especially for the prices being suggested... whatever those prices may be..."

That's a little vague. How would you suggest they improve? And adjust their prices?

One thing that Bo didn't mention about AQ RCA IC's is that they are still balanced cables internally. All of AQ's IC's have 3 separate solid core conductors (unless they made recent changes that I'm not aware of). Most likely, that's why the price is the same for RCA and XLR. Also, AQ is very good about re-terminating. At any time, you can send them your RCA terminated IC's and they will change them to XLR's for you. It's been a while since I did this, but the price was not too bad. Now, if we could only get them to fix their power cords.

So, Audioquest's RCA ICs are actually designed to be XLR ICs?

Perhaps that is the reason their XLR ICs is better than their RCA ICs?

Next year they will come with all new powercords. I told them that they are not good enough. When you compare them with others they are still fine. But like I always say; audio is all about those products which are most convincing. Then there are better.

When a cable is sold in rca, the 3th is not used I guess.

I use tools for their properties. I compare many cables and I work with those who give the best results. With AQ I can compete very easily against many others. I judge audio on what I call Total sound. For cables the same thing. Read this when you want to know how I describe Total Sound.

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?rcabl&1393266431

When I bring in cables I explain all parts to my clients. You compare all the different cables he wants to test.

Often you win a shootout. why?

- more details against competitors
- more speed
- better control
- better blacks
- sharper individual focus
- more layers in the mid freq.

And that is why the best and most convincing tool always wins in audio.

These days I use 2 sets of the new Wel Signature xlr. I tested and owned many expensive cables in over 16 years of time. I never auditioned one with this precision. Voices are more open than with any highend copper interconnect. The level of physical apperance is the best I heard sofar. The same thing about differences in height. Music you thought you knew well is presented totally different. Much more exiting and involving. Next week I will recieve my Pass labs X350.5. I will write a review about these interconnects soon.