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All things being equal (hypothetical) which do you prefer, XLR or RCA?

Hello All,

Just curious here. All things being equal would you go balanced or unbalanced if you have the option for both? I only ask because I've never really compared-though I have gone both routes at different times. I have gone the balanced route now (power amp to pre, and DAC to pre), but wonder which route you all would choose...Just curious and having some fun...
kingbr
curlyhifi
156 posts
 
XLR Period!
dunedain
9 posts
 
Had a slight buzz with RCA cables between my Marantz Pre-Amp and my Classe Sigma2 Amps on only 1.5 meter runs, all on a rack mounted system. I tried everything to get rid of that ground loop, everything powered through the same 20Amp breaker and Audioquest Niagara.

Switched to XLR - all gone and couldn’t be happier. I’m sold. XLR not just for long cable runs.
dwmaggie
222 posts
 
XLR.  My Digital Amplifier Co amps only have an XLR input.  They are supplied with a proprietary RCA to XLR adaptor.  My shortest run is 15 feet.
Post removed 
jjss49's avatar
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jjss49
6,612 posts
 
all else being equal - xlr

but the very nature of xlr is NOT equal to rca... at least if xlr is properly implemented

hope op understands that

a balanced circuit is not always behind a balanced connector on a backplate

this being said, single ended circuits and connections usually work just fine
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