Balanced Inputs

 

holmz

It is my understanding that balanced audio circuits typically “add” 6 db of gain compared with a single ended circuit.

Charles

@charles1dad yeah semantics…

The output is 6dB more.
I was referring to the amp, which is then 6dB less. (Typically 20dB of gain versus the 26dB on RCA)
And then it all balances out.

If my amp and preamp were fully differential I would care, but I’m single ended.  If I had balanced amps I would probably seek out gear that was also balanced.  
 

As others have said there is a lot of gear that has XLR outs that aren’t really balanced.  My DAC has both.   They both sound identical and are the same output.
 

It’s a $1600 up charge for a “balanced” output.  They clearly state it in their literature, but for that much I would go up a rung up the DAC ladder. 

Balanced inputs often offer 6dB increased gain.

@cleeds @charles1dad 

This is only true if the equipment supports the balanced standard. Otherwise the gain does not change.

I don't think any of my gear is truely balanced.  I have a modest system:

Technics SL-100C turntable

Ortofon 2M Black cartridge

Denafrips Ares II DAC

Audiolabs 6000CDT transport

Parasound Zphono XRM

Almost all phono cartridges are balanced sources and most tonearms (including all Technics arms I've seen) are too. Your Parasound treats the balanced source as single-ended however. But it does have balanced outputs...

So I would put this down to which source you want better fidelity since the balanced connection usually offers better sound quality.

I play cds 75% of the time. Parasound states a 6db gain using the balanced interconnect Don't know about the transformers.

Two questions:

1.  Do your DAC and Phono stage both have differential balanced circuitry?

2.  What source do you use the most?

In my preamp a balanced input has 6 db of gain compared with RCA.  I'd prioritize using XLR for components designed to optimize the signal path first then the source I use the most.

@holmz 

It is my understanding that balanced audio circuits typically  “add” 6 db of gain compared with a single ended circuit.

Charles

The Denafrips Aries II is stated to be truly balanced.

I have mine (Aries II) going from its balanced outputs and into the balanced inputs of my Belles Aria Signature pre.

If I had to choose between the DAC and phono, I would probably go with the DAC.

Does the implementation of your XLR input use a jensen transformer?

I don't think any of my gear is truely balanced.  I have a modest system:

Technics SL-100C turntable

Ortofon 2M Black cartridge

Denafrips Ares II DAC

Audiolabs 6000CDT transport

Parasound Zphono XRM

Parasound Halo P6 preamp

Parasound Halo A23+ power amp

Balanced inputs often offer 6dB increased gain. That can be valuable for a phono, worthless for a DAC

6bB less gain.

Tiny amounts of gain can be lost with very long interconnects. So do keep that in mind.

Really it is zero.

If two pieces have XLRs it gets to be a coin toss.
I run the DAC into mine.

If your DAC is fully balanced in and out (2 DAC chips per channel) the XLR output should perform better than its RCA output summing circuit. Otherwise you're probably better off with the phono.

https://goldpt.com/sw2x.html

@stringreen depends.....many times balanced connections are included, but they are not balanced at all, but are a sales gimmick

Yes, there’s a distinction.

Are these “true “ balanced circuits/signal paths, or just XLR connectors for convenience?

Charles 

What @cleeds said. ✔

unbalanced interconnects may pick up noise (such as RFI) in your environment with long runs. 

Balanced interconnects are mostly immune to this, but rule of thumb is to keep cables short if possible. Only need to be as long as required.

Tiny amounts of gain can be lost with very long interconnects. So do keep that in mind.

...depends.....many times balanced connections are included, but they are not balanced at all, but are a sales gimmick

Thanks. I was leaning that way.

Balanced inputs often offer 6dB increased gain. That can be valuable for a phono, worthless for a DAC.