that Rega video,
converting factory 'solid' rca's to 'quite delicate' XLR seems to me a fine example of stubborn or obsessive absurdity.
New TT : Balanced vs. Unbalanced Connection?
I am in a six-month process of assembling a system will last me for the next 5-10 years. I’m set on the components, so please do not try to talk me out of my selections. My question here is a technical one.
I have purchased a Thorens TD–1601 and a Nagaoka MP–200 cartridge. I am trying to decide on the Integrated amp between Yamaha’s A-S3200 and A-S2200. The key difference for this question being the A-S3200 has two balanced inputs and the A-S2200 has one. I will use the first balanced connection to connect a recently purchased HiFi Rose RS-150b Streamer/DAC.
Now to my real question. The semi-automatic Thorens TD-1601 has both balanced and unbalanced outputs. I am considering buying a Schitt Skoll phono pre which has balanced in-and-out. In that case, I would buy the Yamaha A-S3200, needing two balanced inputs.
So, ASSUMING the phono preamp on the Yamaha A-S2200 is comparable to the Schitt Skoll, will I get markedly better sound by going fully unbalanced, with the Skoll and the much more expensive A-S3200, or unbalanced direct from Thorens TT into the highly regarded phone pre of the A-S2200?
What benefits will I get by going balanced? How much benefit? It is worth the complexity, extra box, cables, $2,000-3,000? I can afford it if much better, but don’t want to spend money unnecessarily. The TT and the integrated will be right next to each other, so distance is not a factor. Or is the A-S3200 that much better? …I like the BIGGER meters.
My current speakers are Paradigm Reference Studio 40 v2, which I love and have two pair, a super sleeper. They are not likely to be changed…one day Fyne Audio.
To reiterate, this is a technical question about the merits of balanced turntable connections. Thanks for the input. I have learned much from this forum over the last few years.
Showing 3 responses by elliottbnewcombjr
I say, residential, short runs: no advantage, I do like that XLR connectors lock in place, but I changed to locking rca's to solve that. extra gain: I did get a SMALL amount of gain out of my Sony xa5400 CD player's XLR compared to it's rca out, but certainly not enough to matter. No audible difference. typically, like a DAC, wiser to keep phono stage separate for potential change. In my case my vintage McIntosh mx110z tube tuner/preamp has a wonderful sounding MM phono eq built in (two inputs). I run my tonearms thru a SUT to the mx110z's MM input. I never think about changing to something else. If it blew up, I would get another without bothering to compare. Friends bring their phono stages here to compare with it. My office, for simplicity, I use the built-in MM/MC in my little Luxman, sounds darn good but never compared it to the mx110z. Features: you mentioned bigger meters. They will be fun for a week or two, then they might be bothersome, make sure you can turn their lights off or out of circuit. check the hidden features, you need to read the manual to find things they don't tell you about, like remote balance .... and, check the buttons on the remotes. Many high end makers don't even show the remote. My Cayin remote is solid aluminum, very nice to look and feel/use, much preferred to boring plastic remote, you use them every time you listen. |
Ralph, "@elliottbnewcombjr That is a bit odd- XLRs are a lot more rugged than RCAs." I agree, I have many times said I like that XLR positive lock, perhaps desirable for that feature in residential systems with no other advantage.
However: Did you watch the video? (posted above by veerossi) What this guy did is far from robust as he readily admits. I repeat: stubborn or obsessive absurdity. |