This is a constant topic of debate among local audiophiles here in Phoenix. I own a Rowland Model 2 amplifier. It is fully balanced & has ONLY balanced inputs. I do have balanced to single ended (RCA) adapters, that allow me to use it with preamps that have only RCA outputs.
I'm now using an Adcom GFP 750 preamp. It is fully balanced & also has single ended inputs & outputs.
IF you buy a fully balanced amp & don't use it with a fully balanced preamp, your not taking advantage of all the cicuitry in the amp. The noise floor may go up if you don't stay balanced with the preamp. This is a coin toss-some non-balanced preamps are so quiet the noise floor won't rise anyway..
Read a couple reviews on the amp - see what equipment it was reviewed with. You might even call the manufacturer.
Jeff Rowland & Nelson Pass believe strongly in fully balanced circuits. I met Mr. Rowland at my local dealer. He was very down to earth and easy to talk to.
Try to remember there are amps & preamps that may have balanced inputs & outputs, that are not truly balanced.
You need to verify the "balanced" status by reading the input & output impedence figures.
Daniel
I'm now using an Adcom GFP 750 preamp. It is fully balanced & also has single ended inputs & outputs.
IF you buy a fully balanced amp & don't use it with a fully balanced preamp, your not taking advantage of all the cicuitry in the amp. The noise floor may go up if you don't stay balanced with the preamp. This is a coin toss-some non-balanced preamps are so quiet the noise floor won't rise anyway..
Read a couple reviews on the amp - see what equipment it was reviewed with. You might even call the manufacturer.
Jeff Rowland & Nelson Pass believe strongly in fully balanced circuits. I met Mr. Rowland at my local dealer. He was very down to earth and easy to talk to.
Try to remember there are amps & preamps that may have balanced inputs & outputs, that are not truly balanced.
You need to verify the "balanced" status by reading the input & output impedence figures.
Daniel