What do you hear different using Balanced XLR Cables?

W9TR said:
This is incorrect. Several posts in this thread conflate balanced inputs and outputs with balanced internal amplifier circuitry.

Balanced inputs and outputs, when designed properly to AES48, have advantages over single ended interconnects even if the underlying amplifier circuitry is not balanced.

Balanced I/O doesn’t use the cable shield as an audio return. This prevents ground current induced hum between different pieces of gear. By being balanced, interference impinging on the cable will be cancelled out by the balanced input circuitry of the receiving piece of gear. Most XLR connectors offer a locking mechanism not present in RCA connectors.

Balanced internal amplification circuitry has additional advantages in that certain types of distortion are cancelled out.

To make things more interesting;
You could have an amplifier with single ended inputs and balanced internal circuitry.
You can also have a situation where a truly balanced amplifier has poor common mode rejection, making it no better than a single ended amplifier in this regard.

As to which works or sounds better, it’s more how these circuits are implemented by the manufacturers than the actual configuration of the gear and weather you use a single ended or XLR connection.
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In other words, XLR cables are better. [emoji51]
 
LOL, glad I asked. I am now more confused than when I posted the question. Almost sounds like it is personal opinion and or preference more than anything. I won't sweat it, I will just keep using my old Synergistic Research Kaleidoscope ICs that I have been using for years. Thanks for all the input!
 
My system sounded better when I used single ended between my Ayon player and Cary SLP-05 preamp. When I re-read the Stereophile test on the preamp it showed better performance using single ended, go figure.
 
If all my gear wasn't balanced, I wouldn't be using balanced cables. Pinning your hopes on an unbalanced piece of gear that happens to sport a balanced input or output connector being wired to AES48 standards and providing you with any sonic benefit when using a balanced cable is a crap shoot at best.
 
stereogeek said:
My system sounded better when I used single ended between my Ayon player and Cary SLP-05 preamp. When I re-read the Stereophile test on the preamp it showed better performance using single ended, go figure.
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I own an SLP-05 as well and initially found the same thing. Single ended inputs and outputs were preferred. That was, until I had the "Ultimate Upgrade" completed by Cary. Since then I have compared single ended to balanced (both inputs and outputs) and have completely switched my thinking. Maybe it is system synergy as I have changed a few components, but balanced is now clearly superior.
 
Mikado463 said:
sometimes ........... :rolleyes:
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It is not too complicated.

Technically and objectively XLR cables are less noisy. They are engineered/designed to be that way.

Subjectively (i.e., “my ears tell me”) it is whatever one prefers/likes.
 
mep said:
If all my gear wasn't balanced, I wouldn't be using balanced cables. Pinning your hopes on an unbalanced piece of gear that happens to sport a balanced input or output connector being wired to AES48 standards and providing you with any sonic benefit when using a balanced cable is a crap shoot at best.
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If it supports AES48, its going to be audibly superior, regardless of the internal wiring. You don't have to look any further than the Ampex 351 tape machines to know that- they recorded a good potion of the classic golden age stereo recordings and they were single-ended internally using transformers to interface to the balanced ins and outs. As you've already heard, those recordings are excellent and done without the benefit of a high end audio cable industry. Quite literally, the balanced line system is a high end cable system of its own.
 
atmasphere said:
…
Quite literally, the balanced line system is a high end cable system of its own.
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Are you saying that if you use well-built balanced (XLR) cable you don’t need to spend a lot of money on interconnect cables?
 
nicoff said:
Are you saying that if you use well-built balanced (XLR) cable you don’t need to spend a lot of money on interconnect cables?
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Almost. AES48 is as much about how the signal is transmitted and received as it is about how the cable is constructed, but if the tenets of it are observed the cable need not be expensive.
 
nicoff said:
Are you saying that if you use well-built balanced (XLR) cable you don’t need to spend a lot of money on interconnect cables?
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why 'do you need' to spend a lot on IC's to begin with ? Granted it depends on ones definition of 'a lot' !
 
Mikado463 said:
why 'do you need' to spend a lot on IC's to begin with ? Granted it depends on ones definition of 'a lot' !
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BJC makes good-quality, well-built XLR cables. Neutrik connectors, good quality cables (Belden/Canare), and fairly reasonable prices.
 
I got a chance to try a pair of Balanced cables. I have no idea the make or quality. A friend who does recording work and video depositions loaned me a 8 foot pair to try.

I did not spend any time A-B'ing them yet but initial impressions are more bass and a bigger overall sound. I will play around as I have time but at least I finally got to try a pair to see for myself.
 
Brian, be sure to level match any comparison between single ended and XLR, otherwise a complete waste of time !
 
Mikado463 said:
Brian, be sure to level match any comparison between single ended and XLR, otherwise a complete waste of time !
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I think I have my answer. Yes more gain and louder overall. But what I have noticed is more detail, mostly top end but hearing it everywhere.

I added a pair of Nordost White Lightening Balanced XLRs. Still need more time to adjust, big change.
 
Shadowfax said:
I have never had gear that utilized Balanced XLR connections until now. My Luxman has one input and the Rotel 1572 has both RCA and Balanced XLR outputs.

Is there a big difference or is it a preference?
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IMO, the biggest difference (I only use 1M pairs) is that the single-ended output is around 2v while the balanced output is around 4v. That translates to higher volumes including slightly more impacting dynamics, etc at the speaker. However, there are some who think the more a signal is amplified the more any associated distortions are also amplified. I'd guess there's probably at least some truth to that.

BTW, I use balanced. :)
 
I have now had a month with a pair of Nordost White Lightening XLRs. Out of the box they were really bright and harsh despite being "Burned In" with the Nordost Vidar. Lots of speculation on various sites when it comes to Cable Burn In and I would have expected the brightness and harshness to have been eliminated if already Burned In before regular use.

Anyway, at first I noticed the increase in volume, extra detail in the upper end, and what appeared to be a loss in bass. But like I previously said, they sounded bad at first. Now, a month later, either I got used to the original sound, or they have mellowed and settled in a bit. I do not find the sound to be harsh anymore and the extra detail has remained. Bass seems to have come back but it is very critical of each different recording. Some disks sound like the bass is suppressed while other disks have plenty of good bass.

Something else I noticed is all the controversy over RCA cables being Directional, while XLR cables appear to be made Directional since the Source and Target use a different connector which eliminates the debate. Is that all the time?
 
Shadowfax said:
Something else I noticed is all the controversy over RCA cables being Directional, while XLR cables appear to be made Directional since the Source and Target use a different connector which eliminates the debate. Is that all the time?
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XLR cables always have a mail and female connection. So yes, they are 'directional' in that regard.
 
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