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I'm considering buying a tube preamp w/ single-ended inputs and balanced outputs (perhaps a VTL 5.5), to use w/ an Ayre Cx7e cd player in a secondary system, w/ as-yet-undetermined amp, and Thiel 2.3 spkrs.For those who have compared fully balanced and non-fully balanced setups (especially including Ayre gear), I would appreciate any feedback on whether having single-ended inputs (or inputs and outputs) somewhere in a system chain will substantially degrade the quality of a system that has been fully balanced, in this case one w/ Ayre components- e.g., will my Cx7e lose a substantial degree of its 'magic' if it outs to single-ended inputs.
Follow Ups:
I think there will be a slight loss but I can't be certain as I have not had identical cables to compare SE to balanced nor do I have apparatus to accurately match levels (different output levels) so there are uncontrolled variables . I would not characterize it as a "substantial" change but in audio one person's "inconsequential" can be another's "enormous".
My present system is fully balanced using an Ayre CDP and preamp.
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I have a similar setup with single-ended Arcam CD player unbalanced to VTL 5.5 line-stage and then balanced to Ayre V-5. British manufacturers like Arcam are proponents of unbalanced connections, especially with modern sources with output of 2 or more volts with very little noise. You can read their views in their websites. Of course, I have never tried balanced throughout the chain and cannot say whether it is superior. With good quality accessories like cables and interconnects etc, so far I have never felt a problem in my system related to noise.
I would be more concerned about how different manufacture's component work together to your liking in a first place.Many number of producers insist on a balanced connection ( Krell, Ayre, BAT, ARC et all ) and indeed, when you use their gear front to back, you are optimising what a system is suppose to do.
This, however, does not mean you'd agree with their presentation.
There are plenty of components without a balanced cct. and they, too, can be excellent.
If you like what Ayre stuff does, I won't sweat it.
Also, be aware that not all *balanced* outputs are dual differential ( which means using their single-ended connection *can* sound better than the balanced outputs )
Another thing to consider is the lenght of your cable run. If it's long ( say, over 5 meter ), a balanced connection would lower the noise floor. Anything less, I don't hear any meaningful difference.
I used to own a 5.5, I can't remember whether it had truly balanced outputs or not, tho.
*IF* the balanced setup is indeed truly balanced, and on top of that fully differential, introducing a single-ended component will result in some degradation from what was otherwise possible. But if you are dealing with inferior components, all bets are off!
**IF* the balanced setup is indeed truly balanced, and on top of that fully differential, introducing a single-ended component will result in some degradation from what was otherwise possible.*
Agreed.
It will deviate, at least on paper, from the absolute.
But what I wanted to point out was that if a listener wasn't keen on whatever component's *house sound*, even when the interface is optimised electrically, there is no guaratee of a satisfying hifi system.Certainly, I can't live with ARC or BAT systems even if they were set up optimally. ;)
* But if you are dealing with inferior components, all bets are off! *
I'd rather have a nicely* executed all single-ended system than badly* done balanced system.
-does not get you anywhere, just as you expressed. I think a lot of manufacturers got on the bandwagon after we introduced the concept (1989 we did the world's first fully differential balanced line all tube preamp) just to trumpet the banner of 'balanced'.But what we have seen is a lot of them do not understand the balanced line standard, and so have created line stages that do not take advantage of the technology, IOW they offer little over well-executed single-ended.
I suppose I shouldn't grouse, but it seems like there are too many who get into the business to make money rather than because they enjoy it- the result is that we see mediocre products that dilute the best intentions: the best intentions of balanced, the best intentions of tubes, etc., so that the distinctions that the various technologies bring to the table are blurred. I think I need to chill now :)
i spent some time during the last 12 months hanging with balanced and non-balanced connections as i run active speakers with fully balanced inputs and my CDP has both SE and balanced outs.unless you need an extra gain what you usually have on the balanced outs of your source, or your room is full of RFI, or you run 25m of ICs, there is absolutely no audible difference in home use between balanced and non balanced connections.
just focus yourself on a right choice and don't bother with this.
Thanks for the feedback, everyone-
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