XLR or single ended cables and why?

Tvad wrote:

"standard rca audio interconnects use only a single "unbalanced" conductor.

This is not true. Single ended RCA terminated cables use two conductors. One positive, the other negative. The (+) carries the signal away from the source. The (-) carries the signal back towards the source. Both conductors have an equal effect on sound quality. For this reason, one should never use audio rca cables in which the (-)conductor is a braided shield.

A balanced XLR cable also carries two signals. One being in-phase, the other out of phase. A third ground wire allows the ground potential between the components to "equalize".

" For this reason, one should never use the one with(-) as braid shield."

Tvad, would you please explain a bit more. Most of my ICs have one (+) connected to the pin the other (-) connected to the outer side of the ring on top of it is the barrells. Except for Kimber ICs where they use up to three conductors.

Reb1208 and Andrewdoan, my statement was copied directly from the Cobalt Cable website. Any errors are due to the info published by Blue Jeans Cable...

Tvad:

my statement was copied directly from the Cobalt Cable website. Any errors are due to the info published by Blue Jeans Cable...

It's sad that it was written in the first place and even more so that it makes the average person believe such nonsense - and quote it!
Not your fault, but it's not a good thing...

If nothing else, it convinces me that not all cable manufacturers...or perhaps just the marketing departments...know what the hell they are talking about. I'll certainly cross Cobalt Cable off my list of potential suppliers.