I second the Thsalmon's response. If you're not using truly balanced pieces, there's usually no reason to use balanced cable (unless you have a long cable run).
The mainstream audio press is in my opinion deliberately vague on this. They'll usually just mention that a component has balanced inputs or outputs, without specifically stating if the piece is truly balanced.
The video magazines are the worst offenders....
Here's an example using Adcom. The GFP 750 is a truly balanced pre-amp. Nelson Pass is on record in the Stereophile review saying it sounds best balanced. The top Adcom stereo amp (5802) has balanced & single ended inputs.
The amp is not truly balanced. Does this pair sound better using balanced cable between them? That depends on the execution of the balanced input on the amp - what the quality of the balanced to single ended converter is in the 5802.
The mainstream audio press is in my opinion deliberately vague on this. They'll usually just mention that a component has balanced inputs or outputs, without specifically stating if the piece is truly balanced.
The video magazines are the worst offenders....
Here's an example using Adcom. The GFP 750 is a truly balanced pre-amp. Nelson Pass is on record in the Stereophile review saying it sounds best balanced. The top Adcom stereo amp (5802) has balanced & single ended inputs.
The amp is not truly balanced. Does this pair sound better using balanced cable between them? That depends on the execution of the balanced input on the amp - what the quality of the balanced to single ended converter is in the 5802.