What is a Balanced IC?

mufsoman
mufsoman Posts: 636
edited December 2011 in Electronics
This is probably a dumb noob question, but what are balance IC's? Looks like the plugs is different? When do you use these and why? Is there an advantage over standard ICs?
Sony 83A80L TV and Roku Ultra
Denon 3800
Parasound HCA-2205A
SVS Prime towers, center channel and bookshelfs (side surrounds)
Atmos: Mirage Nanosats x 4
Turbo MFW-15 x 2
Panasonic DP-UB820
APC H15
Morrow MA4 & AQ Cobra IC's, AQ Midnight speaker cables
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  • TECHNOKID
    TECHNOKID Posts: 4,298
    edited December 2011
    mufsoman wrote: »
    This is probably a dumb noob question, but what are balance IC's? Looks like the plugs is different? When do you use these and why? Is there an advantage over standard ICs?
    Yes, balance uses different connectors which are XLR connectors. Unbalanced (RCA) uses only 2 pins which are simply the live audio signal and return while balance (XLR) uses 3 pins which are your live+ and live- which are constantly compared to elinate noise as much as possible and provide in theory with a 6db gain (which is great for long cables in the area of 100' +) and of course the third pin is the audio signal return. This is a personal opinion but my belief is that balance cables is not necessary and advantage in home audio. You can also do a search on balance here at CP and you will find multiple discussions on the subject.

    Cheers!
    TK
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