Longer runs of IC's should use XLR. The influences of shielding, insulation, etc. is completely dependent on the entirety of the cable design. In the end, if your IC length is 2m or less, try them both and see what you like. Also, if you are looking to really hear what advantage balance cabling might offer, your system needs to have balanced circuitry stem to stern. Otherwise, as you understand and accept, there is no substitute for listening and finding what you like, so have at it! And don't forget to enjoy the tunes along the way.
XLR or RCA?
Dear audiogon community,
It was recommended, in another post, that I try a difference IC cable. I was considering the audio quest columbia XLR. ( I am currently using xlr cable between by c2300 preamp and mc275 amp). However, I then read that xlr cables only provide a real benefit if you are using balanced cables throughout your entire system, which I presume means from my turntable into my preamp. Is this true? Because if it is, perhaps I should switch to RCA. That is, my tonearm cable ends with RCS cables. In fact, my pre-amp does not have xlr inputs for phono (though it has them for everything else).
I plead with you, the wise audition community, to lead me out of this mystery!
It was recommended, in another post, that I try a difference IC cable. I was considering the audio quest columbia XLR. ( I am currently using xlr cable between by c2300 preamp and mc275 amp). However, I then read that xlr cables only provide a real benefit if you are using balanced cables throughout your entire system, which I presume means from my turntable into my preamp. Is this true? Because if it is, perhaps I should switch to RCA. That is, my tonearm cable ends with RCS cables. In fact, my pre-amp does not have xlr inputs for phono (though it has them for everything else).
I plead with you, the wise audition community, to lead me out of this mystery!