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RCA vs XLR which would say is the BEST?????

Here is the system:
1. Merlin TSM-M (right/center/left)
2. Axiom QS 8 rear channels (right/left)
3. (2) Earthquake Supernovas MKIV
4. Satori Shotgun Bi-Wire Speaker Cable (right/center/left)
5. Arcam DV 27 (no xlr connection only coax/optical/analog)
6. Bryston SP-1 Pre/Pro (coming with XLR connections)
7. Bryston 9BST amp (coming with XLR connections)

Now I need to connect the SP-1 to the 9BST so do I use RCAs or XLRs? I can do the in either .5 or 1 meter. I have enough RCAs to do the job now and I would have to buy the XLRs. I only want to do this once (right how many times have I said that in this hobby) so your advice will be welcomed. Which should it be?????
hammerfilms
darrylhifi
498 posts
 
Bryston is a great amp, but it is not truly balanced, and you are not using long lenghths so RCA's are just fine.
gofaststang
32 posts
 
I recently set up a sound system for an event at our church. I got everything up and running, then finished running some cable. I ran a cable with single ended 1/4" plugs about 20' across the floor. Soon after that I noticed a hum. It did not take long to determine that this cable was picking up an induced hum from an extention cord that was running next to it. Separating the audio cable from the extension cord solved the problem. However, I tried running a balanced cable next to the extension cord, with a 1/4"/balanced adapter plug at the source end. This also solved the problem.

The point is that there is some benefit from running balanced in that it can reduce background noise. Noise is the curse of many audio systems, and I think one reason balanced cables sometimes sound better is due to reduced noise. But you can also do a lot of good by not jumbling all the cables, power and audio, in a pile behind the equipment. Separate the cables, or at least make sure they do not run parallel to each other.

Happy listening.
darrylhifi
498 posts
 
Abolutely correct balanced can reduce hum and is of course used by many musicians for stonger transfer of signal with long runs.However the poster will be running .5 to 1 meter.
rockvirgo
587 posts
 
A lot of the NOT truly balanced preamps still generate twice the gain at the XLR outputs. This may reduce the useful range of your volume control. Check the specs to see if the output of the Bryston doubles between the RCA and XLR outs. Then let your ears be your guide.

In my experience XLR's always sound as good as, and usually better than, RCA's. It might be imaginary but they give the sound a more airy, floaty quality.
sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
A lot depends on what gear you want. There is a lot of great gear out there that does not come with XLR connections. If you can use XLR's and it is truely balanced then go for it. Definitely do it for very long runs. I agree that for short runs, you probably won't notice much of anything if any at all.
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