balanced xlr v unbalanced rca

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mule
mule Posts: 282
edited May 2008 in Electronics
I bought a sunfire power amp http://www.sunfire.com/Symphonic_Reference.htm for my 2 channel setup I am working on and now I am shopping for a pre-amp.

Should I take xlr into consideration when I am shopping for a pre-amp?

Will it make any significant difference, or will a good pre sound good regardless of xlr or rca connection.

Thanks for the input.
Post edited by mule on
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited May 2008
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    Search my friend.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • Gadabout
    Gadabout Posts: 1,072
    edited May 2008
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    Personally, I'm running my 2 ch system with XLR's. Since you have the new sunfire, that has XLR outs. Why not buy a pre that has that also has XLR's?. I just think it is smart to keep your options open when trying for that elusive synergy.
    Without music to decorate it, time is just a bunch of boring production deadlines or dates by which bills must be paid. ..... Frank Zappa
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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited May 2008
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    You might as well go with the balanced connections since more and more HIFI equipment is being made with those connections.
    Jake
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited May 2008
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    Zero wrote: »
    You know, I'm not entirely positive whether or not Sunfire designs their amplifiers around the balanced circuit. Shoot off an e-mail to Sunfire's customer service and ask them if that particular amplifier's *native* topology is balanced. If so, than I'd encourage you to find a matching pre-amp that is purely balanced.

    This is a very true statement. I know a lot of amps that have "balanced inputs" that just tie them into the unbalanced circuitry on the input boards. I would not omit a pre because it doesn't have XLR outs, but if it does then its a bonus. From my experience XLR would only be adventitious over longer distances.

    Ben
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • obieone
    obieone Posts: 5,077
    edited May 2008
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    ben62670 wrote: »
    This is a very true statement. I know a lot of amps that have "balanced inputs" that just tie them into the unbalanced circuitry on the input boards. I would not omit a pre because it doesn't have XLR outs, but if it does then its a bonus. From my experience XLR would only be adventitious over longer distances.

    Ben

    Just to confirm, what your saying is other than multi-zone, or goofy highend spkrs, we won't really notice a difference over a 3 ft. i/c?
    I refuse to argue with idiots, because people can't tell the DIFFERENCE!
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  • ShinAce
    ShinAce Posts: 1,194
    edited May 2008
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    Correct.

    The main point here is that you may have XLR stickers all over your equipment when it's not truly balanced. This would suck the big one.

    XLR does have some other advantages. It allows you to use relatively cheaper cabling. The connectors will cost more. It also gives double the signal to the receiver.
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited May 2008
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    If your whole system is not balanced and you have not found another way to take care of the ground, you could run into a nasty ground loop fight . . . could, but not guaranteed.
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