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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.

 

gemoody

Showing 8 responses by lewm

lewm
12,542 posts
 

Sleepwalker, I hope you get the salient point that ICs per se count for nothing if the phono stage (in this instance) is not capable of balanced operation. Therefore you can’t have one without the other. These days there are components that provide XLR inputs but do not treat the signal in balanced mode. 

lewm
12,542 posts
 

I  like to say “all other things being equal” (same cartridge, same phono stage, same everything downstream) a balanced connection will get you 6db compared to an SE connection of all the same components.. usually this comparison is not actually feasible.

lewm
12,542 posts
 

Baylinor, The VPI Classic being a tt certainly has nothing to do with the balanced vs SE distinction. So I assume you mean to say that the VPI tonearm is not wired for a balanced connection. But I’d guess it most certainly is. It probably offers separate hot and ground for each channel in SE mode, plus a ground wire probably attached to the tonearm body, 5 wires in total. All you would have to do is remove the RCA plugs, and replace them with XLRs, where hot goes to pin2 on the XLR, ground (now negative phase) goes to pin3, and the ground wire to pin1. but yes, you would also need a balanced phono stage. The PS Audio Stellar is by reputation so good that maybe you need not bother. And it does have balanced outputs.

lewm
12,542 posts
 

The reason to minimize noise at the phono stage is because that stage is called upon to produce the most gain, by far, of any element in the chain. High gain requirement brings the problem of noise to the fore. I have one system that is fully balanced (using Atma-sphere components) front to back, and a second system that is SE all the way. Both require long ICs between preamp and amps. Both are acceptable in terms of S to N. I’d say the balanced mode is not so much quieter as it is completely trouble free in terms of noise. Never a faint hum or a buzz. The SE system will have an occasional hiccup.

lewm
12,542 posts
 

Above should read ”yes, the Nagaoka can be wired for balanced operation”. As can nearly every cartridge except those that provide only a single common ground for both channels. IMO, at this level (given the OP’s system) it may not be worth the extra expense. This is in no way meant to denigrate the system.

lewm
12,542 posts
 

Yes, but he Nagaoka can be wired for balanced mode. 

lewm
12,542 posts
 

True, the presence of an XLR input, does not prove that they equipment is fully balanced in its internal circuit. This is research you will have to do.

lewm
12,542 posts
 

I have found that a balanced connection between cartridge and phono stage has much fewer issues with hum, which is to say I’ve had no such issues using a variety of cartridges and tonearms in balanced mode, over a period of more than 20 years. If phono stage is truly balanced, you also get the bonus of more gain. You decide whether to spend the money or not.

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