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Balanced vs. unbalanced

The way I understand it, in most devices except phone cartridge output, the signal is in a combined state (unseparated) and to get it to balanced, it has to go through another set of circuitry to separate the signals into balanced componenets for the XLR output. Whereas the RCA output does not go through the additional circuitry. And at the other end (e.g., my Krell) it has to go through the reverse process to recombine the signal.

In other words keeping the signal on the unblanced RCA path results in a circuit path with fewer components. Thoughts?

regards, David
wireless200

Showing 1 response by blotto

blotto's avatar
blotto
13 posts
 
On an electrical circuit way of thinking balanced always seemed "BETTER" to me...Now to the world of sonics brought
to you by your instruments--your ears!! I have been through the balanced/ unbalanced system changes and comparison for 10 years now and must state in all cases
I have found single ended rca to be sonically superior
for home critical listening.......Thats my take...
Ended up with a Quad amp and preamp and can say without
a doubt the quads run with the balanced Quad Links are
flat sounding...lacking definition,drive and richness in tone. Add Cardas golden and neutral reference into the
game and " yes, that sounds great"...
Now, comments such as, the cardas are better cables and that if the Quad Links were of superior construction
balanced would again reign king. Can't buy that because have had similiar results with Krell, BV audio, Cary and
Anthem to name a few. Possibly on stage with long runs
in the concert hall or at the McMansion with a 200 ft. run from Audio Room to the Library it is better. OR--possibly
I like the distortion and "noise " inherent in single ended set ups--
I don't know and I guess no longer care.....
Good Luck spending that Buck--as they say in Gitsonia-
"let your ears do the choosing"
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