Sony SCD-1 balanced or unbalanced?

hello which sounds better unbalanced or balanced? Also could use some preamp recommendations probably tubes for the Sony SCD-1 source.

mejames10-02-2001 8:31am

gmorris Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 351 posts 10-03-2001 at 06:34pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete I am using the SCD-1 in an all balanced system (ARC LS25 to ARC VT100 MKII). The balanced mode (using Burmeister Silver interconnects with both XLR and RCA terminations for comparison) is clearly superior to the unbalanced mode, in my system. Presumably, the benefits of the balanced mode is dependent on whether or not your preamp and amps are fully balanced designs.
ed_sawyer Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 588 posts 10-03-2001 at 06:34pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Correct, it's not a truly balanced design, like the earlier Xa7ES was. Hence the reason both sound the same (Bal. vs. unbal.) is that they are the same, derived via a chip (IC) that creates the inverted signal for the balanced connector. There are a multitude of benefits, other than noise rejection, for components with a truly balanced signal path. Several companies design with this in mind, BAT being one of them. FWIW, -Ed
davewavaolcom Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 193 posts 10-06-2001 at 02:46am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete I like balanced. Pass labs x-1 preamp.