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Should I explore balanced cables to connect my amp to dac?

Hi there
I just bought demos of Ayre AX5 Twenty and Cambridge Audio NX; I'll be using the CA unit as the DAC.
Both components support balanced connections.
As I understand, balanced cables provide their benefit when I have long runs; in my case the two components will literally be next to each other (so the cable will be 1m or less.
In this case does a balanced cable help and if it does, can someone suggest a good starting point under $200?  Some guidance on what kind of situations I'm likely to notice an improvement would also be appreciated.

deone

Showing 1 response by tweak1

tweak1
3,721 posts
 
There's a HUGE difference between 'support' XLR and being true balanced components. I have pulled my hair out over the decades when magazine reviewers   would put a true balanced component into their non true balanced system, then use XLR cables and proclaim they couldn't hear any difference

IMHO, true high-end doesn't begin until all components are true balanced

hth
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