2. amps-preamps
  3. 193172-30175

Balanced vs RCA preamps

How important is it that your Pre-amp has both balanced and RCA capabilities? I’m shopping for another pre, most likely tube, and it seems to make sense with any future component that it offers both XLR and RCA. And to further complicate the search finding both these features plus remote limits the offerings for both tube and SS particularly tube.

 

kckrs

Showing 3 responses by emergingsoul

emergingsoul
1,279 posts
 

I think people who like balanced enjoy plugging in the cables more than RCA. They look really cool.

I have a Conrad Johnson gat2 preamp which does not offer balanced.  by Having both balanced and unbalanced to me means they gotta spend more money duplicating circuits and I would prefer they spend even more money on one circuitry related to the unbalanced. Why spend money on stuff you're not gonna use and after all, balanced in my view relates to when you have really long cable runs which many of us do not.  But they are really cool to plug-in.   

emergingsoul
1,279 posts
 

@atmasphere 

Amazing commentary you have. I bet you have a really really cool system.

 

emergingsoul
1,279 posts
 

@atmasphere 

Clearly with such a long distance for a cable, a balanced XLR cable makes sense.  RCA connect going out that long is never really a good idea. Interesting speakers horns are deserving of a look next time I buy a speaker

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