Balanced vs RCA Interconnects

I recently switched to balanced interconnects between the CD/preamp and preamp/amp. I was integrating my preamp with my home theater processor in order to try to get a better mix of music and theater sounds in the same room. With the single ended connects, I had a slight buzzing if you listened real close at the speakers, but after adding the balanced, it was silent. I think my noise problem was mostly caused by all of the equpiment connected to the theater processor and got a bit worse when adding the preamp into the mix. The balanced connections took care of that problem so I noticed an immediate difference. I suppose if you have a relatively clean hi-fi only system to start with, the difference won't be as noticable.

i doubt you can make a valid comparison between balanced and single-ended ic's using products from different manufacturers or even products from the same manufacturer in different ranges. i've used only balanced ic's for years, thinking them to be superior to rca's and appreciating them for their "locked" connections. last november i visited a good friend in rhode island who shares my audio interests. he auditioned an "upgrade" to his ic's running between an accuphase cd-75v and jrdg model 10 amp while i was there. he was lent balanced and single-ended nordost qutrofil pairs as possible replacements for the balanced nordost spm he already owned. i was given the honor of sitting in the sweet spot while he switched the ic's. to my amazement but according to his predictions, the rca terminated quatrofil was clearly superior to the balanced quatrofil and spm in this setup. i've learned a lesson: if you really want to compare ic's, audition BOTH balanced and single-ended pairs before purchase.

Audition both. That's the same thing I have found. It depends on the equipment. In most cases, I there isn't enough difference to say one way or the other. I do remember switching from a 2 Meter SE to 2M Balanced between my pass labs mono amps / pass labs pre made an improvement that was immediately noticeable. On my CD to preamp - it really didn't make a difference. Slightly different sound but not better or worse.

What I have heard from others is that if you have 2 meters + length in your interconnects, or a noisy environment, a balanced will pull ahead of a SE cable. One of my friends who has worked in recording studios says it makes a very large difference in that environment. A downside of balanced cables is that in some cases an audio component will have the balanced circuitry grafted onto a single ended design. The result being that you are going through more electronics, but not getting balanced noise cancellation through the component itself.