XLR vs. RCA

Bob is correct in stating that balanced cable runs tend to offer reduced noise. That being said, I am running over 11 meters of single ended RCA interconnect between my preamp and amps. My system not only sounds extremely good, it has absolutely no noise problem.

TCiborow, the posts above are dead on. One thing strikes me though: Do you speak of running balanced or just using XLR connectors on your cables, which are used in a single ended fashon. If that would be the case, you would of course not have the benefit of reduced noise, if that (vide Albert's post) should be a problem at all. However, I find the Neutrix XLR's generally much better than the RCA plugs. Though difficult to clean, they give a fetter fit and cannot be unplugged incidentally. Some people maintain, that they also sound better with sweeter highs and less harshness. I'v never heard that myself, but then I did not specifically try. Curious about other opinions.....Regards,

sorry typo: better not fetter about the fit XLR plugs have.

I changed my 25' run of single ended interconnect (premap to amp) over the weekend to Goertz Mircopurl Copper with Neutrix XLR's. I bought the wire and connectors from The Parts Connection for $325 and assembled it myself. Good cable, fair price (the cable is $5.25/foot, the gold plated 3-pin connectors were about $5 each, WBT solder was a few bucks). Although the wire may take time to break in, I have to say, it made a HUGE difference so far. Dead quiet background with balanced cables. Jeff

Jeffloistarca, sounds like you are on the path to success, and done within a sensible budget. True 600 ohm balanced circuits are less likely to be affected by the interconnect connection than with single ended RCA circuits. That is not to say there is no difference. Ralph at Atmasphere has done some of this testing, and I have known him for many years. His products are true balanced and true 600 ohm, and his tests concluded that inexpensive cable worked as well, until you reach the very best wire, where you could achieve a big jump. His test conclusions (at that time) were the same as mine, that Purist Audio Dominus was indeed the exception to the rule, the same wire I run single ended.