I have an EMC 1 with all the latest upgrades including the Caps, resistors, diodes, etc. I have experimented with using an interconnect with XLR on one end and RCA on the other or all RCA's. No difference. If you have a great single ended preamp you are not missing anything. I carry both balanced and single ended preamps and I use a single ended preamp with the EMC 1. Granted the preamp is so good that it may make up the difference. The player is amazing however you use it. If you don't have the internal upgrade yet it is a must. Put a really good powercord on it and you will be very pleased.