Thinking about upgrades

rpf65
rpf65 Posts: 2,127
edited November 2012 in Electronics
I've been sitting around thinking of the upgrades for my humble ittle system. AMong them are AVR, sub-woofers, center channel, surrounds, maybe front mains, and posibly adding an amp.

My question has to do with amps. The question is what does balanced and un-balanced mean? I've seen theses terms here, and on various specs from different manufacturers, but can't seem to find out what they mean, or what theses terms apply to.

Appreciate a little education on the subject.
Post edited by rpf65 on
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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited October 2012
    In the simplest terms, balanced is XLR plugs and unbalanced is RCA plugs. Balanced connections can reduce noise in a system if done right, but they can also pick-up less noise caused by interference and provide a better signal for a long run. On most well made, consumer equipment, the 3ft cables between your components can be RCA or XLR with equal success, but it's all in the design.

    What's your system consist of now?
    Jake
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  • SugarmillMan
    SugarmillMan Posts: 175
    edited October 2012
    I have read that if your cables are 3 feet or less, balanced or unbalanced with make very little difference in what you can hear.
    Fronts:B&W 804 Diamonds, Center: B&W HTM2 Diamond, Surrounds: PolkAudio LSi F/X (4)
    Subwoofer: HSU VTK3-MK3
    Electronics: Onkyo TX-NR 3010 receiver, Parasound Halo A31 amp, NAD T975 amp
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,967
    edited October 2012
    SugarmillMan wrote: »
    I have read that if your cables are 3 feet or less, balanced or unbalanced with make very little difference in what you can hear.

    Not necessarily, it matters most that the system and all pieces are balanced, not just one or 2 pieces with the rest using RCA connections.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • rpf65
    rpf65 Posts: 2,127
    edited October 2012
    zingo wrote: »
    In the simplest terms, balanced is XLR plugs and unbalanced is RCA plugs. Balanced connections can reduce noise in a system if done right, but they can also pick-up less noise caused by interference and provide a better signal for a long run. On most well made, consumer equipment, the 3ft cables between your components can be RCA or XLR with equal success, but it's all in the design.

    What's your system consist of now?

    Currently have a little yammy rx-v571, but will probably upgrade that to a yammy 30xx or 20xx in the next 6 monyhs or so. Speakers are RTI/A5 fronts, CSI/A$ center, RTI/A1 surrounds, and DSW440wi for sub. The second upgrade will be the sub to an SVS or HSU, still thinking on that one. Later on will probably look into an RTI/A7 or A9, and move the A5's to surround, and A1's to rear.

    Figured a balanced power amp is what I'll be looking for, just didn't know what the term un-balanced was used for.

    Anyway the above is about an 18 month window.
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  • mwk455
    mwk455 Posts: 219
    edited November 2012
    Keep us posted on what you do.
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  • nancyandroid
    nancyandroid Posts: 8
    edited November 2012
    yup updates would be nice along with some videos or pictures
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