Joeb asked what was better RCA or XLR connectors. In high end audio, sound/music qualities are paramount, so that should be the primary consideration. No? Prior to purchase of ICs, I discussed this issue with a Synergistic Research Tech., and he said he preferred the more organic, rounder, more liquid and "whole" sound of RCA ICs. But he also said that most (not all) of the people he worked with, and were into audio, used and preferred XLR connectors.
I had no preconceived biases for one over the other, and having both fully balanced pre-amp and pre-amp (also single ended), I tried both (SF Line 2 and McCormack DNA2 DX). I found that music with the different ICs (same model though) was as the Syn. Res. Tech described it, and that XLR sounded dryer, leaner, and more detailed (musically). I ended up purchasing RCA ICs for the music quality/character. My ICs were only 40".
As to the robustness of the plug and connection security, I would prefer XLR, but that is seldom a problem in home audio. There are advantages for pro use though, and especially if long runs are used. In fairness to the XLR terminals though, I did not give them much of a chance to break in whereas the RCA terminals were well broken in.
IMO, the only valid comparison should be A to B of the same ICs in RCA and XLR and with well known music. Try it and see. As to professionals using only XLR, well, they have professional reasons, but musically these pros produce some really excellent recordings, and they also produce some really lousy recordings. But I don't really believe the end product is very dependent upon the type of IC used. Cheers. Craig.
I had no preconceived biases for one over the other, and having both fully balanced pre-amp and pre-amp (also single ended), I tried both (SF Line 2 and McCormack DNA2 DX). I found that music with the different ICs (same model though) was as the Syn. Res. Tech described it, and that XLR sounded dryer, leaner, and more detailed (musically). I ended up purchasing RCA ICs for the music quality/character. My ICs were only 40".
As to the robustness of the plug and connection security, I would prefer XLR, but that is seldom a problem in home audio. There are advantages for pro use though, and especially if long runs are used. In fairness to the XLR terminals though, I did not give them much of a chance to break in whereas the RCA terminals were well broken in.
IMO, the only valid comparison should be A to B of the same ICs in RCA and XLR and with well known music. Try it and see. As to professionals using only XLR, well, they have professional reasons, but musically these pros produce some really excellent recordings, and they also produce some really lousy recordings. But I don't really believe the end product is very dependent upon the type of IC used. Cheers. Craig.