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Balanced vs RCA between amp/preamp

Well I'm taking my first step into separate components with a Marantz SC-11s1 and SM-11s1. Would like to know about the +/-'s of using RCA vs balanced interconnects between the two. All my input sources are single ended.

I understand the Marantz components balanced connections have pin 2 wired cold and pin 3 wired hot. Does this mean I need to reverse the cables going to my speakers (if I decide to use balanced connections between amp/preamp).

I also understand the RCA connections conserve absolute polarity. But is there a performance "hit" taken by using singled ended connections between amp/preamp?

Thank you in advance......
wec56

Showing 1 response by verdantaudio

verdantaudio's avatar
verdantaudio
1,469 posts
 
Read third post down from KBK...great explanation.  

https://www.stereophile.com/content/balanced-xlr-vs-unbalanced-rca-1

The fact that the Marantz units and your sources are not fully balanced means you will likely experience minimal gains vs. single ended connections.  in fact, there are occasion where you will find the single ended connections may sound better.  I can't speak about those explicit units, bit I have an amp where the single ended connections definitely are better than the balanced.  
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