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SE RCA to XLR... any benefit?

Quick question, I have my suspicions but wanted to get some feedback.

If I'm feeding a single-ended source into a balanced component is there any advantage to using RCA to XLR cables or do you end up in the same place just letting the device bridge the signal over from RCA inputs into the balanced circuit? 

I know the term balanced is a bit loaded as it is seeming interchangeably used for:
- 3-Pin XLR balanced interconnects 
- Components with a "fully" balanced circuit design
- 4-Pin XLR balanced (dual grounded) headphone cables

In this case, I'm talking about a component (like a balanced pre-amp, or a balanced headphone amp) where the signal coming in from a tube line stage is SE but the component has a balanced circuit and the capability to output balanced. 

Thanks! 
designtaylor

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designtaylor OP
48 posts
 
Thanks for the feedback guys. Most of the gear I run is balanced and supports balanced interconnects but there are a few items like my TT or a tube line stage I have that are all SE all the time. So really my question is, if a given component is going to take a signal that comes into the unit via SE and then run it through a balanced circuit and output it over balanced interconnects, would there be any benefit to piping the SE signal into the XLR inputs? 

Really more of a thought exercise than a practical problem ;) 
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