2. cables
  3. 125960-83203

Single ended vs xlr balanced

I have switched backwards and forwards (going slightly mad in the process) testing (long run) interconnects.
I know some sound engineers, and they tell me I am probably persuading myself that balanced is better than single ended and THERE IS NO REASON WHY SINGLE ENDED CAN SOUND INFERIOR TO BALANCED. Sorry to use capitals but this seem to be a fair summary of the be all and end all of technical discussion. If I was to guess however, my mind would tend to follow the technical opinion not go against it, surely? In my mind the balanced is a deeper more airy sound, just better presence all round. The technical response is that I am not comparing like with like, as the balanced runs at higher voltages and subsequently higher volume (6db). I had a shock at this news and found out therefore by accident that my Bryston 28bsst2s amps have a switch upping the output from 23 to 29db to compensate. Also did I hear properly that Bryston kit is set up preferring balanced? My processor is a Bryston sp3 so maybe my preferred balanced system  is what I needed anyway. But it is odd that a reputable company like Bryston would have such a policy (if it has foundation) and not stress that on their literature. If my system can be adjusted for speaker levels then volume output is irrelevant - or is it if that higher voltage has some effect?
And don't get me started on aes/ebu vs spdif! The aes to me is noticeably superior for the same reasons as the rca vs xlr debate. Then hdmi vs spdif ... (Time for my medicine ........)
So my question is - forgetting technicalities which can get more and more complicated by the minute  - do other peoples' ears agree with mine?
tatyana69

Showing 1 response by kijanki

kijanki's avatar
kijanki
4,432 posts
 
XLR might be better where ambient electrical noise is high, but requires additional circuitry that may reduce transparency.  Terms "Fully balanced" and "Truly balanced" mean something different.  True balancing is achieved by means of the input transformer or instrumentation amp, while Full balancing is achieved by dedicating one amp for each leg of the signal with the speaker connected between outputs.  These amps should not be independent, because even slight difference in gains would greatly reduce common mode noise rejection. Fully balanced amp does not produce even harmonics while still outputting odd harmonics.  I use very short (0.5m) balanced cable.  Short, because negative effects of the cable will increase with its length, as Al stated, and balanced because my class D power amp has only balanced input (mature decision).   My small Rowland 102 utilizes THAT1200 instrumentation amp.  Link below.  Gain setting resistors in such amp reside on the same substrate and are laser trimmed to match -  for stated 90dB rejection, they are matched to 0.0015%.  B&O module inside has already balanced input, as eric_squires mentioned, but input imepedance is only 10k.  External amp increases impedance to 48k also providing (most likely) better common mode rejection.  Transformers are also a good choice but they slightly distort at low frequencies (may not be audible).

http://www.thatcorp.com/datashts/THAT_1200-Series_Datasheet.pdf

More to discover