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You never know what today will bring

I introduced new XLR Discovery Essence Interconnect in between my CDP and Pre today, in place of an older pair of very short audioquests with RCA termination. My speakers now deliver the same number of dBs as before with the preamp set two clicks LOWER. I did not expect such a substantial change in SNR. My thought is that this is due to balanced circuitry, not to differences in cable.
judit
judit OP
217 posts
 
The Electrocompaniet CDP is a true balanced design, as is the Pass Labs X-1 Pre that is next in the chain.

I have been swapping in new PCs as well. Since I do not have dedicated line I have a ground loop problem which I currently correct by floating all but one of my components. I have noted that polarity (which way I plug the floated PCs into their outlets) affects output SNR as well.
sonic_genius
528 posts
 
Balanced circuits are 6 dB or twice the voltage. Double the perceived loudness is 10 dB measured in SPL at the speaker.
kalan
185 posts
 
Oddly enough, even Discovery Essence RCA interconnects seem to have a lower SNR (than other RCA interconnects) because I also tend to turn DOWN the volume knob a couple of notches when I use Essence RCA IC's between my CDP and pre-amp.

This is compared to other IC's such as Shunyata, Aries; Coincident, CTS; and HT, Truth Link. Go figure.
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