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What is the advantage of a balanced interconnect?

How does a balanced interconnect work (perform) as opposed to a regular interconnect?

I've been out of the "market" for a while and am a little behind. It seems "balanced" is better; however, one guy told me that unless I am running long lengths I don't need to worry about balanced interconnects. Equipment would be NAD or Parasound CD Player, undetermined DA Converter (the $3,000 question), tube monoblocks, and Magneplaner speakers (probably just 1.6's). [I think I hope to purchase a DAC with a volume control and run the interconnect directly to the amplifier - no pre-amp. I think.]

A quick primer on balanced interconnects would be appreciated. Thanks
delsfan

Showing 6 responses by eldartford

eldartford
4,262 posts
 
Rwwear...Resort to name-calling says something about you and your opinion.
eldartford
4,262 posts
 
Rwwear..OK buddy. I am sure that my system is nothing special, but it does not hum. Many characteristics of audio systems require subjective evaluation, but hum is pretty straightforward to detect.
eldartford
4,262 posts
 
Unless the all the equipment you buy has electrical interfaces for balanced line interconnects, you can't use them anyway, so don't worry about it.

For home audio equipment balanced interfaces are a high cost "boutique" feature. In pro sound equipment, where balanced line have a real technical advantage, they are routine, and add little to cost.
eldartford
4,262 posts
 
Rwwear...Is 6dB of extra gain a good thing? It will force you to attenuate the signal more by turning your volume control down.

If you have hum when single ended RCA cables are used, your equipment and/or cables have a problem.
eldartford
4,262 posts
 
Rwwear...How do I go about evaluating a device that eliminates inaudible noise?
eldartford
4,262 posts
 
Rwwear...And it's just as obvious that you do. I have used balanced lines outside the home audio application, and am well aware of their characteristics. My system doesn't need them. Evidently, yours does.
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