balanced & single ended?

gmorris

Can someone explain what is meant by "Balanced" & "Single Ended" interconnects? What is the difference? Which one is better? Are there different types of cables that need to be used with each type? Someone please explain.


Thanks,
Greg

organ

Can't remember exactly but I believe balanced IC's have better shielding and ground connection.

Some people think balanced are much better but others say you won't hear a difference unless you're using really long runs.

Maurice

gmorris

Um, OK. I kind of figured that much, as you seem to only see Balanced connections on really expensive, high end gear.

But, will someone please the differences between the two.

tonyv1

Here's some info from Neutrik, they make XLR type connectors that are used in balanced cables. Most times I've encountered XLR connectors are for microphone connections.
Most High End cable makers carry RCA (single-ended) or XLR (balanced) connectors for the same cable, but charge more for the balanced. Monster only carries ONE balanced cable, Z200i X Reference.

What is a balanced line?
Definition of balanced line: a transmission line constisting of two conductors which need to have the same impedance, also with respect to ground. In order to establish a balanced line, every component connector to the line (incl. line driver, line or cable inself and the line receiver) must be balanced.

E.g.: In a perfect world, a balanced cable consits of two identical wires which are usually twisted, surrounded with a cable shield.

Balanced connections in an audio system are designed to reject both external noise, from power wiring etc, and also internal crosstalk from adjacent signal cables. The basic principle of balanced interconnection is to get the signal you want by subtraction, using a three-wire connection. Any noise voltages that appear identically on both lines (ie common-mode signals) are in theory completely cancelled by the subtraction.

While two wires carry the signal, the third is the ground wire which has the dual duty of both joining the grounds of the interconnected equipment, and electrostatically screening the two signal wires by being in some way wrapped around them.

Unbalanced Line
A transmission line in which voltages on the two conductors are unequal with respect to ground. A coaxial cable is a common type of unbalanced line.

Tour2ma

Nice explanation, tony. Haven't seen it put quite that simply before.

gm,
I've read where balanced yield a 5 dB S/N ratio improvement over RCA's. I'm running Signal Cable balanced IC's and like them.

HBombToo

Originally posted by Tour2ma
Nice explanation, tony. Haven't seen it put quite that simply before.

I'll echo that!

HBomb

gmorris

So, from the explanation, you need Balanced components to go with Balanced IC's?

Emlyn

Originally posted by gmorris
So, from the explanation, you need Balanced components to go with Balanced IC's?

Actually, I'd look at it the other way around--if you have a preamp, amps, and cd player with balanced inputs or outputs you may want to consider getting balanced interconnects to use with them. Most equipment with balanced inputs and outputs also has the standard "unbalanced" inputs and outputs. The equipment need not be all that expensive. For example, the Rotel RB-1080 amp has balanced inputs, the Rotel RC-1090 preamp has balanced inputs and oututs, and the CEC CD player available from Audioadvisor has balanced outputs. None of these items cost more than $1200 each. Also, none of them absolutely require the use of balanced interconnects. As previously mentioned, the S/N ratio for audio equipment improves somewhat when using balanced interconnects.