Definitely. I always go balanced. There is a reason all pro gear has uses it! Re the attenuation knobs, I run mine about 1 PM, and that gives me a nice sweet spot on my DAC2's excellent volume pot. If I cranked the attenuation knobs, I would be way at the bottom of my volume pot. So you think there is good reason to max the knobs on the Crown?
IMO, there is, in most cases, good reason NOT to max the knobs on the Crown.... 1pm to 2pm is often a much better setting (and roughly what I use)
Pro gear uses balanced due mobile logistics, long runs, interference, etc.
The sub preout signal from the Denon should be fine for the 1.4V setting.
I usually use max volume on the Crown because I use EQ, where I attenuate the signal by necessity. If there is still an issue I will cut my digital volume on the DAC down a few more db but that usually isn't required in my setup. There are many good reasons to cut the level on the Crown as well. I do find the different Crown level settings give a slightly different sound, with lower settings seeming a bit less bright and dynamic. I don't know why I hear that and I understand it isn't something that is seems measurable so it's just the way I perceive it.
Sounds just like different perception of different volume levels....altho with a bit of attenuation on the Crown you might alleviate a bit of noise....
Of course. I have run into situations where even a short run had some interference though, due to a strong field of some kind. Also I seem to remember that in general, XLR in/out voltage specs and perhaps even impedance matching tend to be more uniform in general. Aside from that, XLR is much easier to connect and has that nice locking feature. OMG save us from the death-grip RCA interconnect–I have seen those damage equipment. None of this is to say that XLR is inherently superior or is crafted by magic audiophile elves or anything.
I don't know why consumer gear won't adopt XLR. I don't like mixing interfaces.
Probably comes down to cost... the pennies add up. (especially given the additional circuitry required, as well as the more expensive connectors, etc...)
It can happen when you have a nasty combination of a high sensitivity set of speakers, and a combo where the pre-amp gain is badly adjusted (too high) - so the combo ends up boosting low level hiss from the early sections of the chain.... something which could be resolved with judicious adjustments of the various gain and attenuation settings... and yes the issue is by no means universal, and many of us have never encountered it... but enough people HAVE encountered it to know that it is a possible problem.
It is a big problem. Low pre-amp voltage with high gain amp is recipe for unhappiness.
The problem is worse with active speakers. The amplifier chips they use have a SINAD of around 75 to 80 dB (reported around here) and they are sensitive because there is no passive network between the amp and driver.
Over the years (I've had mine more than 10 years) the Crown XLS has surprised me over and over. I have several other amplifiers with much higher SINAD but the Crown continues to please me more in sound, specifically the bass and midrange. Most of my other amps have much softer and less impactful bass, so I keep coming back to it. The multitone for the Crown does outclass many other amps with higher SINAD. With normal bookshelf speakers that have lowish sensitivity, noise is inaudible. With the Crown's level controls at 100%, using XLR, I have to press my ear to the tweeter to detect anything.
I've been using my XLS2500's to drive my Gallo Reference 3.2 speakers.
I have never run into issues with any run I have ever made (as long as 20 feet) with an RCA connection that wasn't easily fixable.
Most noticeable feature of any modern amp is clipping. Your Crown can power any speaker.
Massive overkill... but yes.
