XLR and RCA interconnects in the same system?

I second the comments by Kal, Kijanki, Rdavwhitaker, and others that a balanced interface can sometimes provide significant sonic benefit regardless of whether the components are internally balanced or not.

In addition to the reasons they mentioned, I would add that a balanced interface will provide considerably reduced susceptibility to ground-loop issues, and also will reduce sensitivity to cable effects and differences (particularly if the output impedance of the component driving the cable is low).

Ground-loop issues, btw, do not just involve hum problems. They can also result in an increased amount of low-level high frequency noise, resulting in degradation of "background blackness."

Does all of this mean that using balanced interfaces between components that are not internally balanced is generally preferable? Of course not. It is dependent on the quality of the implementation in the particular components, numerous unpredictable system-dependent variables, and overall system synergy.

But as I see it, it all clearly means that a blanket claim that using balanced interfaces between components that are not internally balanced will necessarily result in little or no benefit is incorrect.

It's ironic that listening experience here is being used to deny the possibility of significant sonic benefit, while science is being used to advocate that possibility. Usually it is the reverse that seems to occur.

Regards,
-- Al

Well said, Al.

The comment that a cheap balanced connection (using cheap wires) for the balanced interconnect is good?
That is hogwash.
And i do not say a balanced connection is inferior, nor nor usable. Just that it is not an end in itself. It MAY be better, but not always.
And no way are cheap balanced connectors going to sound any good in a decent system.
I am only saying that the hoopla over balanced is not some 'halo' option. The connections are still dependent on the electronics, and on the quality of the interconnects.
Basically i can say balanced with cheap connecting wires is just stupid. (Of course, if you are a wires are just wires diehard, then this is heresy.)
I use some balanced, and some RCA, and it does NOT make a difference, and all the ballyhooing over whatever rocks your boat is not going to change that.
And if you feel the need to make accusations that one's system must be lowfi or you would hear the difference.. forgeddabou'dit.
LOL

Elizabeth - you can compare only equivalent XLR to RCA. It might not make any difference in your system if you don't have ground loops or noisy environment but I like to think about it as a form of insurance against possible problems. I use short runs of one of the best neutral sounding XLR cables hoping not to ever change it. I don't see any reason not to use XLR since my DAC and power amp accept it while the price difference is minimal.

In addition my Rowland 102 amp has only XLR inputs. This seems to be the latest direction Mr. Rowland goes since his latest expensive class AB model 625 power amp has also only XLR inputs. Obviously he sees benefit of it and I trust him completely.

Elizabeth, an example of my reference to "reduced sensitivity to cable effects and differences (particularly if the output impedance of the component driving the cable is low)," and note that I did not say NO sensitivity, I said "reduced sensitivity," would be the ground-loop induced high frequency noise, and consequent degradation of background blackness, that I referred to. And ground-loop induced hum, as well.

With an unbalanced interface, the severity of those effects will be directly proportional to the resistance of the cable shield, or other return conductor if the return conductor is not the shield. That resistance, which is usually not specified, will differ unpredictably for different cables. With a balanced interface, differences in that resistance will not matter, or will matter very little, because the receiving circuit is essentially responding just to the difference between signal line voltages, not to the difference between signal and return line voltages (the return line being what is sensitive to ground-loop effects, because it is normally common with both chassis and AC safety ground).

Also, you may have seen in the past several comments by no less an authority than Atmasphere, making the following two points:

1)A balanced driver circuit that has low output impedance, and is capable of driving low impedance loads (specifically 600 ohms) without signal degradation, will result in there being NO sonic differences between the balanced cables that may be used to connect that output circuit to the destination component.

2)Many and probably most balanced driver circuits are not designed with that capability, and hence will not provide that benefit to the degree that it should be provided.

Finally, I can recall seeing more than a few threads here in the past in which people indicated that in their experiences balanced interfaces seemed less sensitive to cable differences than unbalanced interfaces.

Regards,
-- Al