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What is the advantage of a balanced interconnect?

How does a balanced interconnect work (perform) as opposed to a regular interconnect?

I've been out of the "market" for a while and am a little behind. It seems "balanced" is better; however, one guy told me that unless I am running long lengths I don't need to worry about balanced interconnects. Equipment would be NAD or Parasound CD Player, undetermined DA Converter (the $3,000 question), tube monoblocks, and Magneplaner speakers (probably just 1.6's). [I think I hope to purchase a DAC with a volume control and run the interconnect directly to the amplifier - no pre-amp. I think.]

A quick primer on balanced interconnects would be appreciated. Thanks
delsfan
delsfan OP
19 posts
 
Yep, found the search function on the first page (too tired last night to back up one more page to find it but I knew there must be one).

Sounds like, for my "medium" priced system (I remember when $5K was a lot more than medium), unless I just run across monoblocks whose mfr. states balanced is better, I don't really need to give balanced another thought.

Cheers,
eldartford
4,262 posts
 
Rwwear...Is 6dB of extra gain a good thing? It will force you to attenuate the signal more by turning your volume control down.

If you have hum when single ended RCA cables are used, your equipment and/or cables have a problem.
rwwear
2,871 posts
 
All systems have noise whether you hear it or not.
rcrump
427 posts
 
Balanced will null out the 2nd harmonic and have 6db more gain....The system will be cleaner.....Used a single twisted pair and a double twisted pair of the same wire for the tests (SE vs Balanced) between the Blowtorch and JC-1s.....
herman
2,259 posts
 
What 2nd harmonic?
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