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balanced outputs

Depending on who you talk to, balanced outputs are either the panacea to all ills or just another gimmick that adds 6 db to your output path.
Given that I have already spent a bunch on RCA interconnects, I guess i am biased towards single ended outputs. I am looking for an unbiased view. I was puzzled as to why two of the really high end preamps were devoid of balnced outputs, and also intrigued as to why other manufacturers like Krell now only offer balnced ouptuts exclusively.
shasonmusic
rwwear
2,867 posts
 
Krell also offers CAST outputs. But, to me the best thing about balanced is that it cancels hum.
ivyinvestor
37 posts
 
Balanced inputs do a great job of reducing extraneus hum in your system (especially if you live in older digs where electrical shielding of cables in the walls is practically non-existent!) because of its unique cancelation characteristics. And yes, there is a dB gain, though it is not always 6dB (you can measure the gain with some basic lab equipment to determine the veracity of this statement).
sadownic
8 posts
 
It doesn't make sense not to use balanced interconnects. True balanced circuit designs should be used in every high end system. Balanced circuits would put the high $$$ snake oil cable salesmen out of business.
Designing true balanced preamps can be difficult to do because of the volume control.

Ivyinvestor, what electrical shielding of cables in the walls are you referring to?
unclejeff
1,313 posts
 
It really depends on your components. If they are all truly(!) balanced, then this is the way to go. Many, if not most amps with balanced inputs are not really balanced and they add a circuit to conform with the RCA input.
programmergeek
322 posts
 
Balanced and RCA interconnects can sound just as good as another. There is no problem with RCA at all Balanced is just less prone distortion and a better circut. If your going high end and or you have long runs to your amps I would invest in balanced. Most cable manfactures sill change the ends of your cables from rca to balanced for a small fee.
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