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Do you need to use ALL balanced cables?

I have: XA7ES CD Player: w/balanced & unbalanced outputs GFP-750 Preamp: "" SF SFM-160 Amps: unbalanced only (feeding Virgos) I have decided I like the sound of the passive preamp verses the cd player's variable analog outputs. I am currently using unbalanced interconnects between the CD Player and the Preamp. Will I see improvement if I spring for a set of balanced cables to connect the Cd and preamp?
john_l
carl_eber
1,425 posts
 
I think you'll hear improvement even with a short run. Some balanced interconnects make more difference than other ones, like MIT or Synergistic Research.
onhwy616f64
16 posts
 
No definitive answer; won't know unless you try. I have one of the predecessors to your CD, the 707ES, and I favor the balanced over the single ended outputs. Any audio dealer worth buying from should loan you interconnects for an at home trail.
john_l OP
782 posts
 
Addenum: I am 2 Meter Nordost Red Dawn speaker cables, and a 2 meter interconnect between the preamp and the monoblocks. The CD to preamp is an old Esoteric Audio cable that I bought new for $70 ten years ago. The sound is excellent as it is. The Nordost cabling improved my system noticeably.
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