ljgj: you don't say whether the single pair of xlr inputs on your pre are analogue or digital. i assume they are analogue, since there aren't a whole lot of pre's with digital in/out. (if the input is digital, it should be used, of course, only for digital sources.) in either event, i'd use the xlr's for the most critical piece in your electronics chain--a dac or cdp--and use single-ended on less critical components, e.g., a tuner. as numerous threads have already pointed out, the xlr input probably won't offer any sonic advantage over single-ended unless you are using it to connect a fully balanced component and the pre itself is balanced. my guess is that your pre has the xlr inputs for convenience and is not likely fully balanced. --kelly
