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Krell Owners: Is XLR really superior to RCA?

This is my first piece of Krell gear, and I wanted to share my recent experience. Anyone else discover this? Any specific kav-300i owners experience this? Anyone else using gear with XLR’s can chime in too. Here’s my story…

 I recently got a kav-300i to run my vandy 2c's. I'm currently looking at cd players to balance out the 300i's powerful sound. I tried a Rega Apollo based on recommendations, but it made an already bright presentation even more bright; as well as enhancing an already bombastic bass response. I figure I needed a neutral player; something that didn’t enhance anything, but was still detailed, transparent and musical. Based on consistent positive user reviews, and budget, I found an NAD S500 cd player and decided to give it a try. This unit is from their Silver Line series that is no longer made. It sounds very good and is a much better match with the Krell than the Apollo was. The only other player I was really considering was a Linn Mimik. The CamAudio 840c was another. Anyway, the S500 has XLR outputs, as well as BNC & XLR digital outs. Since the 300i has XLR’s as well, I decided the give it a try. What I heard was nothing short of being stunned. The sound became much more balanced and even in presentation that I could not believe it. Has anyone else had this type of experience? Now, there was a noticeable increase in volume, but it was not just a volume increase. It sounded like the mids were fuller somehow, which in turn, balanced everything else out. Or, the excessive brightness and bass I was hearing before, was not evened out, which gave the impression of fuller mids. Whatever the reason, the music is much more even and neutral sounding now. I even did an A/B test (adjusting for volume the best I could between XLR and RCA) and the XLR connection was still much better. The RCA connection is dark sounding by comparison. How is it possible that two connection types can make this much difference? Or, am I dreaming all of this?  


jsbach1685
safnz
11 posts
 
I’ve recently bought a new system and gone from all RCA (Kimber Select) to differentially balanced phono, pre and power. I really like balanced for all the reasons above, but in my set up it’s the clarity that stands out.

Also I’d read that the quality of cable was less important for balanced than single ended, but that’s not what I’ve found. Cheap cable is still cheap cable. Tried some off the shelf stuff and it was flat and un-engaging. Currently running Mogami and it is really nice, no complaints. But recently had a play with Kimber Select balanced and to my ear it was a much richer sound top to bottom. Curious if others have any thoughts on this.
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
7,068 posts
 
Also I’d read that the quality of cable was less important for balanced than single ended, but that’s not what I’ve found. Cheap cable is still cheap cable. Tried some off the shelf stuff and it was flat and un-engaging. Currently running Mogami and it is really nice, no complaints. But recently had a play with Kimber Select balanced and to my ear it was a much richer sound top to bottom. Curious if others have any thoughts on this.
If the equipment is balanced but does not support the balances standard, then you will find that the above is a common experience. If the gear supports the standard (which is rare in high end audio) then the cables will make little or no difference. One exception is the tone arm cable, which does have to be low capacitance... but if this aspect is satisfied, then it too will be of little sonic consequence.
unsound
6,115 posts
 
Why on earth would they not follow the standard? Does that make the consumer have to have custom cables made to order?
auxinput
1,538 posts
 
I still find significant differences between brands/types of balanced XLR cables.  The balanced cables may be more accurate than single ended RCA, but you are still relying on the charge/discharge characteristics of the wire and connectors in the XLR cable.  They still have their own sonic signature, just like RCA cables.
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