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Balanced / single ended night and day difference

Just for kicks I connected the balanced and unbalanced outputs of my universal player (Marantz ud9004) to an unbalanced and balanced input on my multi channel analog preamp (Theta Six Shooter). I then ran the single ended output through the (single ended only) HT bypass of my 2 channel preamp, so the signal was never fully balanced end to end. Expecting little difference I was in for a shock. Completely different sounding. In a nutshell, RCA is more "dispersed" wider sonudstage, while balanced is more focused (especially vocals are dead in the middle between the mains), I guess better imaging in audiophile speak. Anyone had similar experience? How can this be?
edorr
douglas_schroeder
3,281 posts
 
Always compare XLR to RCA of same model IC if possible.

I don't recall any brand/model of IC that I have used where the sound was absolutely identical between RCA/XLR, even though I have used some very high end cables. The similarity between the two when compared to an entirely different brand/model is easily heard, but there is a distinction between them.

I have found that typically every cable and every connection makes a sonic difference.
xti16
1,525 posts
 
Douglas I agree 100%. I used the same Nordost Frey Ic's. They are not the same sounding at the same volume. Had it been for the gain I probably would have gone for the Xlr's.
That's my opinion and I'm sticking to it
edorr OP
714 posts
 
Thanks guys. I will expiriment a little more. I don't have exactly identical cables, but I have a pair of Transparent Ultra RCA and Transparent Reference XLR's which should be close enough.
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,475 posts
 
Many components sport XLR (balanced) inputs and outputs without really being a balanced circuit to impress their buyers. True balanced, from input from a cartridge to the output of the amp will reveal a much better signal to noise ration, and better sound. True balanced requires a separate circuit for the + and - portions of the signal...therefore they are about twice as expensive to produce.
edorr OP
714 posts
 
I repeated the expiriment, but now instead of running the multi channel preamp through the single ended HT bypass of my 2 channel preamp, I hooked up the balanced outputs of MCH preamp directly to my poweramp. So now I was comparing fully balanced source + preamp + poweramp with single ended though the same components. No contest. Balanced wins hands down. More "weight / body" to the sound.
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