Interconnects: Balanced vs RCA

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fishoften
fishoften Posts: 18
edited April 2007 in Basic Hookup/Wiring Questions
Hello Everybody,
Am sure this is a weekly post but, I have used RCA interconnects for years. I now have pre-amp and amp with choice between the two. Trying to get as much information/feedback as possible to steer in the right direction. Thanks for your time.
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  • engtaz
    engtaz Posts: 7,665
    edited April 2007
    I would rather go balanced if I had the option.
    engtaz

    I love how music can brighten up a bad day.
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  • janmike
    janmike Posts: 6,146
    edited April 2007
    Another debatable topic. Over long distances the XLR is the preferred method. I use balanced IC's between my amp & pre and they are both fully balanced.
    Michael ;)
    In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
    NORTH of 60°
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 34,459
    edited April 2007
    I don't think it much matters, real-world, in the context of home hi-fi.

    One potential advantage, though, of using balanced I/O for preamps/amplifiers is that it permits one to use a fully-complementary (push-pull, if you will) circuit topology throughout the preamp/amplifier. Normally, the signal is "single-ended" until it reaches a phase splitter prior to the (push-pull) output stage -- assuming the amp in question is, in fact, push-pull :-)
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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited April 2007
    A balanced connection provides a hot pin, and cold pin, and a ground. Some claim that balanced connections have less noise and can help eliminate pops and thumps. You can get both kinds of cables for similar prices, so give the balanced a try.
    Jake
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  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited April 2007
    hi fishoften, welcome and where do you live? I am in Spokane.

    For home audio use.. since cable runs are usually pretty short between components.. most people use unbalanced interconnects.. I don't think you would gain anything by going with balanced ones.. but if you are curious... there is no harm in going that route either.

    here is a link to a pretty good read on balanced VS unbalanced
    http://www.audioholics.com/education/cables/balanced-vs-unbalanced-interconnects
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
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  • fishoften
    fishoften Posts: 18
    edited April 2007
    Thanks one and all for information. For the time being I think I will use the unbalanced since A) I already have them 2) the distance is 20 inches from pre to amp and 3) I can save up for some other upgrade

    Danger boy I am on the West side just a hair South of Tacoma.
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  • bknauss
    bknauss Posts: 1,441
    edited April 2007
    Balanced is the way to go. Better noise rejection and SNR.
    Brian Knauss
    ex-Electrical Engineer for Polk
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  • engtaz
    engtaz Posts: 7,665
    edited April 2007
    I like your chosen name, wish I could do it more often
    engtaz

    I love how music can brighten up a bad day.
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  • fishoften
    fishoften Posts: 18
    edited April 2007
    bknauss wrote: »
    Balanced is the way to go. Better noise rejection and SNR.

    Thanks for more information. I have been reading abit since my initial question and am going to go balanced. :D going to have a few unbalanced cables for sale soon. Also, what is snr?
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  • fishoften
    fishoften Posts: 18
    edited April 2007
    engtaz wrote: »
    I like your chosen name, wish I could do it more often

    :D Very big into Salmon, Halibut and Tuna off the coast.
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  • snow
    snow Posts: 4,348
    edited April 2007
    fishoften wrote: »
    Thanks for more information. I have been reading abit since my initial question and am going to go balanced. :D going to have a few unbalanced cables for sale soon. Also, what is snr?
    Signal to noise ratio.

    REGARDS SNOW
    Well, I just pulled off the impossible by doing a double-blind comparison all by myself, purely by virtue of the fact that I completely and stupidly forgot what I did last. I guess that getting old does have its advantages after all :D
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  • kingkip
    kingkip Posts: 401
    edited April 2007
    I had a pretty nasty hum in my IB, and balanced cables cleaned it right up.
    There are two ways to argue with women. Both of them are wrong.
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  • fishoften
    fishoften Posts: 18
    edited April 2007
    kingkip wrote: »
    I had a pretty nasty hum in my IB, and balanced cables cleaned it right up.

    Thanks snow and kingkip. Not to look like a complete schmuck :eek: ...what is a IB?
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  • fishoften
    fishoften Posts: 18
    edited April 2007
    Well as long as I'm at it, Any suggestions or recommendations for a good middle of the road balanced cables, rough cost? I am using Audioquest copperhead rca between CD player and Monster Ultra 800 rca to amp. Thanks. My 2 channel (at the moment)
    LSI 25's
    Adcom 870 pre
    Adcom 5802 amp
    Denon 1930ci DVD/CD/SACD
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