XLR or RCA cables

The Jensen will give you the full benefit of balanced and that is why it is so wonderful. Many balanced preamps have the same technology right inside the preamp that the Jensen offers in this passive box.

I am currently running 2 meter RCA interconnects with adapters at the amp but was wondering if running XLR cables with an adapter at the preamp would offer any improvement.

In principle, using an XLR cable with an adapter at the preamp is the better of the two approaches, in part because it would provide somewhat better rejection of hum and noise. It corresponds electrically to the configuration shown in Figure 2.1 of this Jensen paper.

In principle, using a Jensen transformer would be a much better approach, as suggested above and as described in the paper.

As a practical matter, and assuming that you do not presently have perceivable problems with hum or noise, whether or not either of those alternatives would provide an improvement in your particular setup is anyone's guess IMO.

Regards,
-- Al

On simlar length runs with same type of cable, XLR just sounds more dynamic and more refined than RCA. Yes, I have taken into consideration that a XLR connection will sound louder and had adjusted volume control to compensate.

This I have tried on equipment with dual RCA / XLR inputs and outputs (Denon AVP-A1HD sound processor, Bel Canto DAC3.5VB MKII, Bel Canto REF1000MKII).

This is the reason why Ayre amplification has only XLR connections. When you had tried both, you would only want to use XLR.

(Audio)

Thanks to all for your helpful responses. The Jensen transformer sounds intriguing. Where can I get information on them or purchase one?

The Jensen transformer sounds intriguing. Where can I get information on them or purchase one?

Jensen Home Page (click on "Iso-Max Audio Isolators" in the upper left, and then scroll down)

PI-2RX Datasheet (same as PI-2XX shown, except with RCA input connectors)

PI-2RX Manual

It would be best to give them a call before ordering, though, to confirm that this specific model is what they would recommend for your particular system.

Also, if your amp(s) are monoblocks, to keep the cable length between transformer and amp short (as required for an "input transformer" such as this) you should get two of the single-channel version, which would be model PI-1RX.

Regards,
-- Al