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XLR vs RCA

I recently purchased a new Streamer/Pre/Dac (Linn ADSM/3 w/Katalyst) and a PS Audio S300 power amp.  I hooked them up using some high-end RCA cables and they sounded great.  After doing a little reading and from advice for PS Audio I orders some XLR cables (Mogami).  They are decent but not overly expensive cables.  They arrived today so I got it all changed over.  I gotta say it is a significant difference.  I realize they have a higher gain, but I am amazed about the change in the soundstage.  It just blossomed.  One of my favorite albums is Aaron Neville - The Soul Classics.  I have played this hundreds of times, so I am very familiar with it.  Today I heard in a whole different light.  Awesome.

rjinaz86323

Showing 1 response by steakster

steakster
2,028 posts
 

XLR & RCA are simply connectors.   The important question is what are they connecting to?    Is it a truly balanced circuit - which uses XLR?  Or is it a single-ended circuit - which uses RCA?     

Are both components balanced?  Or is just one balanced? Or are neither balanced?  Or is the XLR connector on the chassis a fake balanced circuit.  The manufacturer simply daisy-chained the XLR connector to the RCA internally in the component. This is for convenience and to look cool    Homework is needed to determine what kind of circuitry your gear has.  It should be in the specs.

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