Krell kav-400xi with show case dvd or dvd standad?

Ducchau,

When you listened via balanced and rca did you match levels? I don't believe most people do and therefore 'think' balanced sounds better, when it is actually simply louder at the same gain level.

It is not just louder, but gives a lower noise floor with less audio band contamination for blacker backgrounds and more low level information. Balanced will be an improvement in a balanced system that is properly set up!

Hey Dave_b,

Have you actually tested this and matched levels? I know others have and couldn't hear a difference. Strange. I'll be using a Benchmark DAC in the coming weeks and look forward to doing the test myself.

I have owned many reference class systems with both single ended and balanced. The bottom line is that both can sound wonderful, but balanced brings a heightened sense of presence, palpability, low level detail and contrast...kinda more there there!! If the system used to experience the effect isn't able to deliver the goods then so be it. I have used wilson and dynaudio speaker systems for instance, with both tube and solid state fully balanced components and cabling. The difference may be excused by some who do not give priority to the effect. Some people who listen with a distant perspective and enjoy low volume settings may not hear a difference. If you prefer being immersed in the sound field ala in the front row of the Village Vangaurd then you will require a balanced system.

isn't krell 400xi a bit overkill for B&W cm1's? the krell costs more than twice the cm1's