First Foray into XLR

I know this is a topic like ‘oil’ or ‘tires’ on a car forum, but I have to ask...

Marantz AV8802a to Odyssey Stratos amp to Aerial 7T’s. Looking for advice on 1M XLR’s from pre/pro to power amp.

I’m skeptical of cables and snake oil claims, but I’m trying to be open minded. I’ve not used XLR before, so I’m not replacing anything, and not looking to spend a fortune, but would like input from others who’ve been where I am.

thanks

english21006-04-2018 12:58am

53 responses Add your response

ieales Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 1,201 posts 06-15-2018 at 04:09pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Another transgression is to have vastly different impedances on the UnBal vs Bal inputs. Unless one can, or bothers to obtain and, read a schematic, making evaluations between the two may be specious.
sisyphus51 Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 121 posts 06-15-2018 at 08:56pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete ieales You make a good point there! It might just be my cynical nature but, it seems to me that XLR I/O connectors on high end consumer - audio gear is nothing more than Bling.
celander Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 1,503 posts 07-14-2018 at 02:34pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete I’ve tried a full loom of XLR-terminated cables in a fully-balanced home audio system. In terms of noise levels, the balanced, XLR-based system really didn’t afford advantages over an unbalanced, RCA-terminated system. And for those who claim otherwise, I would ask them to survey the EM-RF fields in their home to ascertain whether it’s even safe to inhabit.