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 v-fi

A lot of times this has to do with the components being used. Like if a fully balanced device offers RCA inputs or outputs, and those are generated from the balanced signal being internally converted to single ended. Just to allow for more compatibility. That option often won't sound as good as sticking with the native balanced format. It is possible to handle that conversion well enough to be pretty transparent but a lot of designs cut corners here and it doesn't sound the same.

Not sure if this applies to your equipment or not. It could also just be that you prefer the Mogami cables to your other brand, even if they aren't as expensive.