Which Audioquest XLR?

By using a cable with the packs on you will get a much lower noise floor. I've done this in the store using the non battery pack cable with the next up in the line that uses them...I've heard them on their speaker cables as well as balance and RCA. I've also done this with their USB cables and it was a bigger sound stage and much lower noise floor...There is a huge difference between the models if you are using a high resolution system. JMHO

My system is virtually noiseless, so a lower noise floor occurs only when it's off.

My system is virtually noiseless, so a lower noise floor occurs only when it's off.
Wolf_garcia

Wish they had icons so I could put a couple thumbs-up for this comment.

Wolf, that's awesome. One of the first people I've ever met who can say that. Please share your system. I'd love to know what I'm missing as would many engineers who read the forums. The more upgrades most folks make, the more noise they are able to hear. That's one reason that a company like Ayre has added two stages of noise filtering to it's now double diamond 20 reference series.

I do use large aftermarket noise filtering power supplies for my DAC and phono preamp, a Humbuster III for the power amps, an old but useful power conditioner for everything, balanced cables whenever possible with well shielded cables all around, quiet speaker cables (properly spiraled for noise rejection), and my sub is "ground lifted" to not loop with the other things. This results in a dead quiet system that is the envy of all humans (and some animals) everywhere. I am clearly fortunate.