2. cables
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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
kennymacc
578 posts
 

No brainer.  If you can, always go XLR!!!  Happy listening.    

erik_squires
16,917 posts
 

I find Mogami is a highly underrated cable. 

jeffbij
250 posts
 

I should clarify...

Just an FYI, the PS Audio S300 amp is a "true" or "fully" balanced design.  I have also noted that when connected to a "fully" balanced preamp, it sounds better with XLR cables.

I'm referring to connecting to the S300 in particular.  Paul McGowan (owner of PS Audio) has always been a champion of using balanced cables, to the point that I can't remember anything they have made in a long time that didn't have XLR connections.  

audiorusty
320 posts
 

I had a very similar experience as you about 8 years ago. I had a balanced system, but had it wired single ended. Just for fun one day I decided to wire it balanced with some 30 year old mic cables that were probably less than  $30.00 each when I bought them and they had all been dragged through mud and beer and everything in between. The results were amazing. I will never go single ended again.

996turbo911
97 posts
 

I try to stick with balanced whenever it is an option. Some components only have RCA and that's fine, if I can though I'll go XLR. In my experience it is usually the better bet.

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