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In Reply to: RE: Do balanced connects with Oppo 105 REALLY make a difference?!? posted by bobverens on December 30, 2013 at 10:52:44
I have mine connected with both and prefer the XLR as it yields greater separation of instruments, tighter bass and a taller center image. I had a hard time deciding which I prefered as the rca connection has a smoother sound and at times sounds more integrated when a/b ing them but the deeper sound stage that the xlr's was the real kicker that won me over. This was the same with the 95 as well and both sets of cables where AQ Columbia's.
Follow Ups:
Thanks to all for the replies; mrjdub33 made me think twice with his subjective eval...so despite Oppo's and other knowledgeable folks' feedback to the contrary, for 6 or so bucks I'll order a pair from Amazon and see what I hear. Common sense tells me that a smidge of db louder will sound 'better' -- no A/B switching here -- but will give it a shot just for the novelty. :)
Happy New Year!
IN general balanced interconnects usually means a quieter noise floor, and longer runs are possible without it.
I have found that it really depends upon the components that has them, and the component that will receiver the signals. If they have "all balanced circuitry" then the balanced side of it will sound better, if it is just transformed at the end, I think it may sound worse, or at the very least the same.
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Hey! I have a blog now: http://mancave-stereo.blogspot.com or "like" us at https://www.facebook.com/mancave.stereo
Bromo33333 has hit the nail on the head.
If the other components are truly balanced, XLR cabling is a lot better.
What is 'balanced'?. MONO amplifiers are pure balanced. Very few stereo amps have two separate amplifiers inside. The only thing that can be shared is the power supply. A pre amplifier needs to have two separate circuit boards inside. If they do not, it is not truly balanced.
A manufacturer installing XLR connections on the back does not guarantee a truly balanced circuit.
And how, exactly, is the XLR cabling better sonically? The biggest advantage to XLRs for runs of up to 20 feet is that the XLRs have better, more secure connectors. But sonically there is NO difference except for the 6db gain issue...
-RW-
And if that's what you found in your setup that's perfectly fine but to say it made no difference sonicly in another's set up without hearing it, is a guess at best. The only way to know is to try it for yourself and draw your own conclusions!
Follow-up to my XLR vs. RCA query:Well, I popped $6.50 on Amazon for a well-reviewed 3-ft. XLR cable and gave it some 'quality time' on my Oppo/amp setup, listening to standard favorite recordings (mostly hi-res flacs) as well as SACDs. I and an audiophile friend with a very keen ear listened for several hours, almost non-stop, following my 3rd day with the balanced cable. Due to the much higher increase in volume levels using the XLR, or course, we couldn't do any meaningful A/B testing with the RCAs -- despite my buddy using his Radio Shack sound level meter to come as close as possible to comparable levels.
Nonetheless, after pausing to grab some dinner, we switched to the RCA interconnects -- again using the RS meter on identical passages before adjusting the volume level for the RCAs. And we listened to the same tracks & discs as with the XLR; and listened; and listened; and listened. Without commenting during our listening "tests" neither of us could hear any noticeable difference on any aspect of the music. From deep bass jazz, solo piano recordings, classical orchestral & chamber music -- no difference to either of us. Nada. Bupkis. Highs, lows, soundstage, sense of 'presence' were gorgeous with both connections. Thanks, of course, to my amp, Oppo 105 & speakers of course :)
As far as I'm concerned, I've satisfied my original question about whether using a very short run of balanced cable with my setup makes an audible difference: no diff. Thanks again to the knowledgeable folks who responded with their learned opinions.
PS: I'm sticking with the RCA interconnects :)
Edits: 01/13/14
That's all that matters!
Enjoy!
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