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Balanced or Not

I own a preamp which has both balanced and single ended jacks. I assumed that since I was using the balanced jacks I was getting the benefit of a balanced circuit. I have just now realized that just having balanced plug-ins doesn't mean your preamp (or any other component) is "balanced." Just wondering what sonic compromises are being made with equipment which has balanced inputs and outputs but that change the signal to single ended as it passes through it. If you are using the balanced outputs, what good is that if the signal going into this jack is single ended? Why would manufacturers do this? What is the advantage to not following the balanced circuit through completely?
frepec

Showing 2 responses by atmasphere

atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
12,086 posts
 
Well I'm a manufacturer so you have to take my comments with a grain of salt on this one: once you've heard a fully balanced setup there is no going back to single-ended. I've said that a lot over the last 20 years and it continues to be true.
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
12,086 posts
 
Al, I think I know a better way than that, but it requires a mod to the amplifier. But it is a very simple mod!

Any amplifying device (tube or transistor) has two inputs. On a tube this would be the grid or the cathode. Taking that a step further, you can drive both on a single-ended amplifier. I have done this a lot in the last several years. You just set up the cathode circuit of the amp to accept a signal (add a coupling cap, equal to the value of the cathode bypass cap; if the amp has a cathode bypass cap you use that).

For a tube amp it literally is that easy. With transistors its a little trickier but still easy. IMO this sounds better than a transformer and the CMRR is quite high.
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