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RCA vs XLR which would say is the BEST?????

Here is the system:
1. Merlin TSM-M (right/center/left)
2. Axiom QS 8 rear channels (right/left)
3. (2) Earthquake Supernovas MKIV
4. Satori Shotgun Bi-Wire Speaker Cable (right/center/left)
5. Arcam DV 27 (no xlr connection only coax/optical/analog)
6. Bryston SP-1 Pre/Pro (coming with XLR connections)
7. Bryston 9BST amp (coming with XLR connections)

Now I need to connect the SP-1 to the 9BST so do I use RCAs or XLRs? I can do the in either .5 or 1 meter. I have enough RCAs to do the job now and I would have to buy the XLRs. I only want to do this once (right how many times have I said that in this hobby) so your advice will be welcomed. Which should it be?????
hammerfilms

Showing 3 responses by darrylhifi

darrylhifi
498 posts
 
Bryston is a great amp, but it is not truly balanced, and you are not using long lenghths so RCA's are just fine.
darrylhifi
498 posts
 
Abolutely correct balanced can reduce hum and is of course used by many musicians for stonger transfer of signal with long runs.However the poster will be running .5 to 1 meter.
darrylhifi
498 posts
 
Well a potential problem doing this is XLR's do indeed generally produce a 3db gain over RCA's , so you may find yourself in a situation where the fronts over power the rears. Of course adjustments can be made on your preamp, but that can be a little tricky. I use an all balanced system so I know the benefit of XLR cables , but in your case, my guess is they are not necessary. However that being said, you will always wonder what your fronts sound like with XLR's , so see if you can borrow some. In some systems XLR's are provided, but only as a marketing ploy.
Many Rotel owners, for example, prefer there amps hooked up single ended.
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