Balanced vs Unbalanced Interconnects

[vivek.batra]

Hi Guys

This is my first post on this forum. I am just starting my journey in to buying hifi equipment. I tried to search for similar topics already posted in this forum buy couldn't find any so started this one.

I am looking for a DAC to feed in to Luxman 590 AXii. On the basis of my readings on the internet, I am of the view that XLR interconnects have benefits over RCA. I won't be running the interconnects for more than 1 meter. I am holding my decision to buy a DAC only because of output choice from the dac.

If the consensus is that XLR outputs have clear cut performance advantage and clearly noticeable, I would definitely go for a dac with XLR outputs, if not, than I am happy with RCA as well.

Kindly share your opinion on this.

Thanks
Vivek

 

[PenguinMusic]

Hi Vivek,

XLR is usually better than RCA.

My Linn power amps do not have XLR. So I use RCA outputs of my Oppo BDP-105.
XLR may be better, but to be honest : I can live with what I have, even RCA
After a LONG time, I have been listening to music on my stereo set-up again in the past 2 days...
Even if only RCA, definitely satisfying my ears

So to answer the question : XLR has indeed better performance than RCA (mostly).
Is it a "clear cut in performance and clearly noticeable" ?
Probably not :-(

Regards.

 

[vivek.batra]

Hi Vivek,

XLR is usually better than RCA.

My Linn power amps do not have XLR. So I use RCA outputs of my Oppo BDP-105.
XLR may be better, but to be honest : I can live with what I have, even RCA
After a LONG time, I have been listening to music on my stereo set-up again in the past 2 days...
Even if only RCA, definitely satisfying my ears

So to answer the question : XLR has indeed better performance than RCA (mostly).
Is it a "clear cut in performance and clearly noticeable" ?
Probably not :-(

Regards.

Hi

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this.

Yea that's the thing. XLR might be better but if t one can not actually feel the difference, then there is no point either in wasting money for the sake of something "virtually" better only.

 

[PenguinMusic]

Hi

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this.

Yea that's the thing. XLR might be better but if t one can not actually feel the difference, then there is no point either in wasting money for the sake of something "virtually" better only.

Hi,

The difference MIGHT be audible.
To what extend ? That is the question...

So the question is : will the price difference be justified ?

As far as I am concerned, I try to borrow stuff before I buy it.
So try to borrow the device with XLR outputs you're looking for. Plug it in. Listen to your music and ask yourself : "Do I enjoy this ?" and "Would I be able to listen for this for hours ?".
Borrow the device that has only RCA outputs and do the same.

If the answers are the same, you can save money and get the "RCA only" device.

I would say : I'd go for a well designed device with RCA outputs ratehr than a device with XLR output that is poorly designed :-(

Regards.

 

[solderdude]

Unless you are plaqued with groundloops, hum or other nasties or only have balanced in and or outputs there is no need to go balanced.
RCA usually works fine, certainly over distances less than 10m (30 ft).

In studios and live performances balanced is the only reliable way.

 

[vivek.batra]

Hi,

The difference MIGHT be audible.
To what extend ? That is the question...

So the question is : will the price difference be justified ?

As far as I am concerned, I try to borrow stuff before I buy it.
So try to borrow the device with XLR outputs you're looking for. Plug it in. Listen to your music and ask yourself : "Do I enjoy this ?" and "Would I be able to listen for this for hours ?".
Borrow the device that has only RCA outputs and do the same.

If the answers are the same, you can save money and get the "RCA only" device.

I would say : I'd go for a well designed device with RCA outputs ratehr than a device with XLR output that is poorly designed :-(

Regards.

Again very true. How big is the difference and is it worth the extra money. I wish I had this opportunity to have some people near by me where I could do this testing. But sadly I don't have any one around me. Lets see if this could be achieved somehow and then I can decide if XLRs are really worth spending for.

Thanks.

 

[vivek.batra]

Unless you are plaqued with groundloops, hum or other nasties or only have balanced in and or outputs there is no need to go balanced.
RCA usually works fine, certainly over distances less than 10m (30 ft).

In studios and live performances balanced is the only reliable way.

I don't think I can be even able to find out such things

 

[vitalii427]

Unless you are plaqued with groundloops, hum or other nasties or only have balanced in and or outputs there is no need to go balanced.
RCA usually works fine, certainly over distances less than 10m (30 ft).

In studios and live performances balanced is the only reliable way.

He won’t know if he has groundloop until he tries. So balanced is safer choice. Price difference not that big.

 

[solderdude]

Do you hear sounds that should not be there ?
If not there is no reason to go balanced. There will be no benefits in that case.

Since your amp has balanced inputs and you don't have a DAC yet then you could buy a DAC with balanced outputs.
It usually is more expensive.
Then go to a music store and buy cheap balanced cables of the needed length.
It won't sound better than RCA though.

Maybe, when your DAC is connected to a PC/laptop then in some cases going balanced could prevent weird groundloop noises.

 

[Speedskater]

Note that it's not just about the cables. it's about the total interconnect system.
balanced output stage >> balanced cable >> balanced input stage

* * * * * * * * * * * *
the cost difference is not financial, it's in back panel real estate.

 

[solderdude]

the cost difference is not financial, it's in back panel real estate.

DACs and amps sporting XLR connectors (usually combined with RCA) are bound to be more expensive than gear with just RCA.
The connectors take up space and require extra components for balanced operation so yes... balanced is more expensive also when it is already integrated as the device would/could be cheaper sporting only RCA.

 

[vivek.batra]

Note that it's not just about the cables. it's about the total interconnect system.
balanced output stage >> balanced cable >> balanced input stage

* * * * * * * * * * * *
the cost difference is not financial, it's in back panel real estate.

Thanks for your reply.

Will it be right to say, if a dac has XLR outputs and rca outputs as well, then it has fully balanced circuit?

 

[solderdude]

Thanks for your reply.

Will it be right to say, if a dac has XLR outputs and rca outputs as well, then it has fully balanced circuit?

it should.

 

[vivek.batra]

it should.

Could you please suggest a good dac upto USD 3K with balanced outputs?

 

[DonH56]

For a little background:

Ground loops : https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/ground-loops-101.7162/
Balanced vs. single-ended: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...d-balanced-unbalanced-and-all-that-jazz.1352/

 

[vivek.batra]

For a little background:

Ground loops : https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/ground-loops-101.7162/
Balanced vs. single-ended: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...d-balanced-unbalanced-and-all-that-jazz.1352/

Hi Don

Thanks for sharing, I would to go through this

 

[solderdude]

Could you please suggest a good dac upto USD 3K with balanced outputs?

There are many DACs that will comply to 'good'. Plenty of them are measured here.
The list would be substantial.

Your final choice would depend on looks, functionality, connectivity and perhaps other preferences I don't know.
US$ 3K would give you many choices from $ 150.- upwards.

A really safe one would be ADI-2 DAC but there are folks that don't like it ... who knew ?

 

[vivek.batra]

There are many DACs that will comply to 'good'. Plenty of them are measured here.
The list would be substantial.

Your final choice would depend on looks, functionality, connectivity and perhaps other preferences I don't know.
US$ 3K would give you many choices from $ 150.- upwards.

I am new on this forum. I would try to find something.

Thanks again.

 

[solderdude]

(in no particular order)

SONCOZ SGD1
ADI-2 DAC
SU-8
Benchmark DAC3
Aune S6
DX7S
D70
DAC magic Plus (Cambridge)
UD501

there is plenty around.

 

[vivek.batra]

(in no particular order)

SONCOZ SGD1
ADI-2 DAC
SU-8
Benchmark DAC3
Aune S6
DX7S
D70
DAC magic Plus (Cambridge)
UD501

there is plenty around.

Thanks