In my very limited experience with short runs and fully balanced gear (Ayre), I have found balanced ICs to be less variable in sound quality than single ended, which intuitively and technically makes sense. Eg many people report Mogami Gold to get them most of what they need sound wise. I would start there before spending a ton of money, then audition a few things to see if it's worthwhile.
My personal go-to for both RCA and XLR is DH Labs Air Matrix, which runs in the $300-400 price range brand new. It's quite neutral and detailed and won't add a ton of its own color. In XLR I have found it to be very close to ICs costing 5x as much.
If you need something on the slightly sweeter side of neutral, Audience also makes very nice stuff. And of course there is Cardas but I have found their stuff to be very system dependent. |
Ah I see you already have Dueland XLRs. Anything in particular you’re looking for that they’re not giving you? On the higher end side, Audience Au24 SX is fantastic and could be a great match for your system, but likely out of your price range even used. |
...What are those mid to high end cables (RCA or XLR) made out of to warrant such premium prices (few hundred dollars per cable)?... I think snake oil is a key ingredient. |
I agree with marcyun that so far I've heard very little difference in XLR Cables unlike RCA's where there are significant differences. As mentioned for little money the Canare are good. For a bit more the Solid Silver or Silver Litz XLR's from Sunny Audio Shop on E-Bay allow a bit more micro, macro dynamics through.
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There are a pair of Audioquest Diamond XLRs on auction on Ebay now. I prefer any of Synergistic Research top cables the Apex, CTS. With the time of year now is the buying and selling time. Most any of the better known cable companies that have more time in the field of cables have also spent more R&D time, and will get you the results you are looking for. |
@bradluke0
Had a absolute top flight Ayon Preamplifier come through here a few years ago - it had balanced connectors on the back - but - a quick look inside - pin 3 had no termination :-) US standard has pin 3 as the inverted signal.
Balanced equipment either for home or professional use have several advantages and if executed properly will outperform a single ended system. Typically less noise, better transients and dynamics all things we strive for in music reproduction. If the system is balanced through out from cartridge or DAC (and here I mean the actual IC (BB1704K) or (ESS9018) for examples) to speaker the benefits of Fully Balanced design approach easily shine through.
Good Listening
Peter
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First to start, if you dont find your higher end cables, I suggest that you dont waste money and agree with many comments here about Canare Star Quad, and Benchmark media builds them very nicely for a great price.
The all round second best cable i have tried is actually middle priced and it's the Cerious Tech Graphene Extreme XLR. It has it nearly all, resolution is just astounding, just lacks some dynamics and a little bass. You can get them new in your budget.
The best high end cable I have tried and tried and tried against dozens including cables costing HUGE amounts of money and that surpass them all and that I now use in all my systems, is to me without a doubt, the TelluriumQ Silver Diamond. I'm not sure you can find these second hand, but really worth a search. |
@gdhal and @muses,
I miswrote in my previous post. My Belden/Neutric cables are actually Gotham PUR/Amphenol. I plan on doing a closer comparison with the Zus in the near future. Zu always recommends 250 to 400 hours to burn in the dielectric on new cables. I figure I'll give them about 60 hours before the face-off. |
the high end cables (RCA or XLR) warrant such premium prices because they are made out of confirmation bias |
I figure enough "burn-in" has taken place to compare the Gotham PUR/Amphenol XLRs (I paid $35 on the Bay) to the Zu Missions (List $215 I think; but I paid $46.50).
I do believe I can tell a difference; that it's not bias or unbelievably short audio memory. The Gothams have been warmer since the beginning; but now the Zus are presenting a more profound bass and they are more dimensional and transparent. I prefer them to the Gothams, because I am a detail junkie; but I can't say they are clearly "better", or would be everyone's choice. In fact on a few tracks I (mellow acoustic guitar, Cello) I prefer them. I would have been quite happy with the Gothams on all fronts if I was faced with paying full list. Fortunately, I got a better deal. |
Also, the Gothams played slightly louder.
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Mogami Golds gave me a richer more realistic sound. They did make a difference. Inexpensive upgrade.
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JPSLABS.com their cables are excellent. |
@muses
Will check them out and report back when I get them installed
Good Listening
Peter |
Another vote for Cerious GE. Their XLRs edged out another brand that was priced much higher.
FWIW I started with Mogami Gold XLRs. They are good, but I was able to do better. Again, my system, room, & ears.
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Suggest :
JPSLABS.COM
see the lending library at: THECABLECOMPANY.COM
sometimes when you call these places they will actually guide you with good advice. |
Will warn this thread up again, if possible. I have a fully balanced system, up to the interconnects between the pre and amp. Use Zu Mission single ended to the amps. But it looks like I’m about to get the bug, balanced amps. Problem is the run to the amps is 25-30’. So I’m shopping XLR’s. At that length I need to get it right the first time. Also have to pull them through conduit in the wall with an elbow. Can go into the corner and dismantle the elbow rather than risk damage to the wire.
You posters are head snd shoulders above me in knowledge about cables, Set up things balanced because a knowledgeable setup guy strongly suggested such. |
balanced rejects certain types of noise - you definitely want balanced
or... shoot digital over wireless to the a decoder at the amps... |
Got a full set of the Gotham GAC-4 Pro as suggested by Muse, the are excellent. Beautifully terminated and very "quiet" there must be something to that double Rousen Shielding.
Highly recommended
Good Listening
Peter |
In my arc system, balanced xlr cables wins hands down over single-ended rca's. I'm embarrassed to say the balanced cables are my own cheap diy canare star quad vs expensive top of the line furutech rca's. As some have said before, use the connection (balanced or single ended) that your system was designed and built for. After that, experiment with different conductors, and connectors of the cables. If your system is good enough (and your ears) you should be able to hear the differences. Just my humble opinion, of course... |
In defence of the furutech's, they sound great in my other system, which is designed to be connected via single ended. Further enforcing the importance of system matching a particular piece of equipment. Great in one system, lousy in another, and vice versa.
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