RCA to XLR cable ok from DVP to Pre/Pro?

I'm a fan of balanced as well. In a true balanced circuit, the noise floor is said to be lower. Their are some mfg who only make single ended compoents, i.e., Conrad Johnson, etc., so I guess they don't agree with that philosophy. There is gear which just sounds better through using the balanced outputs (Esoteric, Musical Fidelity, etc). Not loooking to start a flame war... Just what I have read and what I have heard.

Just to throw in my other two cents, I do have some balanced to single ended cables (Innersound, not expensive) and prefer using single ended high end cables (Tara Labs The One) rather than the Innersound Cable. What I am getting at is in my preamp, I only have one pair of balanced inputs (used for CD player), so while my benchmark has balanced and single ended outs, I went with the single ended and much better Tara Labs The One cables rather than (what I feel to be) inferior balanced to single ended cable. If I were willing to spend the dough, I would have Tara make a custom pair of The One's with balanced/single ended terminations. Being I lose the benefit of a balanced circuit with the single ended on one side, why spend the money. If you have no choice (only balanced out on source and only single ended on input device, you may not have a choice. When I started experimenting with balanced, I purchased inexpensive musician cables, which easier to hook up, but heard no sonic imporvement over single ended. In fact, I picked up noise (cheap, long runs). Once I got into the high end balanced cables, I just wouldn't go back from balanced.

Cerrot: interestingly enough, Esoteric DV60 is one of the DVPs I was considering, and while it has balanced outs, a 6moons reviewer said it sounded much better via single-ended unbalanced outs. Go figure!?! Obviously, if I go with the Esoteric, my issue is moot, but what if it really does sound better via unbalanced? Other DVPs I'm considering, like Denon 5910, Arcam fmj139, do not have balanced output, and neither does my current unit Pio dv47a, so that's why I asked the question. I'm not looking for minute differences, just curious whether there would be a significant and very noticible difference going RCA out of DVP to XLR in one of these new pre/pros I'm considering. Thanks...Jeff

Jeffkad,

The 6Moons review was for the SA-60, and, agree, they felt the RCA was Much better, but on the X-03, it was the balanced which sounded better. I know the DV-60 should be closer to the SA-60 than the X-03 but I think you should hear it first. A good buddy of mine wants the X-03 SE after hearing mine, but he only has single ended inputs on preamp so is going for the Ayer instead. (The balanced just sounded so much better, he won't spend the money on a model he can't enjoy to it's fullest potential. I really think you have to audition a broken in cd player in your system before making the plunge. Good luck and enjoy the journey.