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Balanced / single ended night and day difference

Just for kicks I connected the balanced and unbalanced outputs of my universal player (Marantz ud9004) to an unbalanced and balanced input on my multi channel analog preamp (Theta Six Shooter). I then ran the single ended output through the (single ended only) HT bypass of my 2 channel preamp, so the signal was never fully balanced end to end. Expecting little difference I was in for a shock. Completely different sounding. In a nutshell, RCA is more "dispersed" wider sonudstage, while balanced is more focused (especially vocals are dead in the middle between the mains), I guess better imaging in audiophile speak. Anyone had similar experience? How can this be?
edorr

Showing 1 response by douglas_schroeder

douglas_schroeder
3,281 posts
 
Always compare XLR to RCA of same model IC if possible.

I don't recall any brand/model of IC that I have used where the sound was absolutely identical between RCA/XLR, even though I have used some very high end cables. The similarity between the two when compared to an entirely different brand/model is easily heard, but there is a distinction between them.

I have found that typically every cable and every connection makes a sonic difference.
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