2. amps-preamps
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balanced connection, better than single ended?

If you have gear that can do balanced & unbalanced connections which is preferable and why? I have read that balanced connections are better for long runs of cable otherwise a single ended connections are fine but not sure of this since I have yet to use this sort of connection. Also I read that some gear is not truly balanced in their circuitry thus this gear may not benefit from a balanced connection. I ask only because I'm recently buying an amp that has true balanced circuitry but now must find a preamp of the same.
phd
rwwear
2,692 posts
 
I don't necessarily think balanced sounds better except for the lower noise floor which constitutes to better audio to me. I also prefer the better connections XLR's offer.
tvad
9,467 posts
 
10-03-10: Rwwear
I don't necessarily think balanced sounds better except for the lower noise floor...

To me lower noise floor equals better sound. Whatever the noise reducing element: circuit design, power supply, power conditioning, cabling, etc.

No equivocation.
rwwear
2,692 posts
 
I guess I wasn't clear to all in my statement.
rwwear
2,692 posts
 
I guess I wasn't clear to all in my statement Tvad.
phd OP
1,008 posts
 
Onemug, I believe your right, it would be foolish just to buy a product because it is balanced. The Audio Research amp that I purchased is a true balanced design. But more importantly I like the way it sounds. I used to own it two years ago and never took advantage of its balanced technology but was thinking that this time I should try it in its fully balanced mode because maybe I missed something but now I'm not sure. But I still want to see for myself.
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