More on XLR vs RCA considerations?

Thanks guys

Sooooo.............The consensus is that I "should" hear a benefit to using XLR connections from preamp to amps even though nothing else is balanced?

Thanks,

Bill

Thanks for the replies

None of my wire runs exceed 4 feet and most are 2 feet or less. Some could be done with a foot, just don't have any IC's that are that short. I may have some made. I've been using some DIY stuff made from "Beldon wire and Neutrik connections. Seems fine to me.

Talking about everything being balanced. What can be balanced besides my preamp and amplifiers? I don't think I've ever had or seen any XLR's anywhere else. Is this what is meant by "all balanced", just the preamp and amps?

Thanks

Nothing that I have, has XLR connections except for the preamp that I just bought and my amps. I run my speakers bi-amped. The Calypso pre has XLR connections and RCA's at every input and output and includes 2 outs for my amps. It seems the perfect set up for me. I have seen some ARC's that have this same arrangement, which seems nice to me. I just don't have anything else that has XLR's. My VPI TT has a nice MIT 330 cable, DIN to RCA. My SUT, which I don't always use, has RCA's only as does my Cary Phono preamp as does my Denon CD player. I don't stream and I don't have any other devices. Would using XLR from preamp to amps be defeated by the fact that I have nothing else that is XLR or would connecting my amps by XLR make for an improvement anyway?

Jerry

I remember you talking about having yours made with RCA and you are talking about nice high end gear. Also, I find it interesting that CJ does not use XLR's. It seems that both can be excellent but maybe balanced has some advantage in some situations. Certainly in long runs but maybe some other situations as well. I am no expert, that's for sure. I can only try it with mine and see what I think. Even that won't prove a whole lot due to so many other factors involved but at least I'll have a taste of it and maybe I'll lean one way or the other. Hard to say.

I hope I haven't stirred more trouble. Not the intent at all. I appreciate all the input and I know there is a vast wealth of knowledge and experience here. Many thanks.

Bill

Again, many thanks to all.

The new preamp is true balanced circuitry. I have read that my amps are as well. All I can do is have a listen for myself if I try the XLR's. From the answers I'm getting, I doubt that I would appreciate an audible difference in a 4 foot run other than the 6db gain would be noticed. Beyond that, I don't know but as I say, all I can do is try it for myself sometime. I have never had any real complaints with RCA'a other than some that seem too tight, some too loose and having tried some cheap ones over the years, well, they were inferior in many ways, including audibly. Thanks again,

Bill

mulveling

The worst ones for me were Monster cable THX. Way too tight and the cable is probably just so so anyway. DIY Beldon wire with Neutrik connectors are my new favorites. They have a really nice fit, glide on and off with ease but not at all loose, the old Goldilocks test, seem just right. I don't do the DIY, I buy from a guy who does. They are not expensive but they seem to be very well made and so far, they sound good to me.The MIT cable on the VPI, has locking WBT RCA's that seem to be very good. 

atmasphere

Thanks very much for this and for the link. Very interesting. How on earth do we know if our gear supports AES48? I guess one way is to see if the 6db gain is present with the XLR's but maybe not definitive? Most of this is over my head but it is interesting and I get when I can from all this. I am always amazed at the wealth of knowledge here. Much appreciated.

Bill

Thanks atmasphere. I suppose at some point I will. Thanks again for the very informative post and link. Good reading.