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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
coolhand
58 posts
 
Indeed what you have read is correct.
There is largely no benefit to be gained from using short balanced runs in a typical hi-fi system, particularly when most, if not all of the equipment is TRULY balanced end to end in its internal design, which effectively means a doubling of component count.
What is usually far more beneficial however, is balanced POWER to your equipment.
tvad
9,467 posts
 
Lots of existing discussion on this topic with no consensus.

Go with what sounds good to you.
rwwear
2,692 posts
 
I prefer balanced because of the noise rejection and the 6db increase in volume doesn't hurt either.
phd OP
1,008 posts
 
Coolhand, what do you mean by balanced power to your equipment?

TVAD, I don't know which sounds better since I never used balanced interconnects. I have a large bag of single ended interconnects but no balanced. Looks like I will be buying a pair soon.
phd OP
1,008 posts
 
Rwwear, I wonder if that increase of 6db of volume is sometimes perceived as better sound quality?
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