Opinions on XLR interconnect cables?

[Freedom]

Opinions on XLR interconnect cables?

I am currently using RCA interconnects & wondering if there is an audible difference between XLR & RCA interconnects?

All opinions appreciated.


Happy Listening

 

[peopleperson]

I work in the live sound and permanent live PA installation world. In my experience (and I could be completely wrong, sometimes one audio world doesn't translate the same into another audio world), rca is fine as long as you don't run long distances.

 

[RichPA]

I think that in many setups, even with relatively short cables, there can be a small sonic benefit to balanced cables. I also much prefer the secure connection made by XLR connectors relative to RCAs. I also find that there are greater differences among various RCA cables than among balanced XLR cables.

 

[bastek]

How about banana to rca cables? I' m using those (6ft) with my pro amp. now, i don't know if i should get XLR to RCA instead.

 

[crackerkorean]

I have been wondering the same thing for a project I am working on. Electronically I really cant see any difference other than peak to peak voltage difference. (RCA being 2.0V and XLR being 4.5 or 5 or something like that). This is considering that everything else is equal.

From what I gather it shouldn't really make a difference since the runs are short. Having the larger voltage swing XLR lets you have longer runs of cable without any significant attenuation from the cable it self.

 

[whoaru99]

Given that the circuits both for balanced and unbalanced are relatively high impedance, attenuation of the signal is rarely an issue in and of itself even on very long runs for either type. The connections are essentially voltage bridges with only minuscule amounts of current, which causes the voltage drop/attenuation. So, minuscule current = minuscule voltage drop.

Assuming an equal signal, the output voltage a balanced driver will be 2x that of an unbalanced circuit. For example, if 1V is coming out of one of the RCA jacks on my preamp, 2V is coming out of the XLR.

IMO, inherently, there is some possible noise advantage to balanced lines, but OTOH, most balanced line drivers are tack-ons to plain old unbalanced circuits. So, are you better off with the more minimal circuitry of the unbalanced/RCA output or the added circuitry of the balanced output? The answer is, unfortunately, it depends.

 

[jsixis]

like other posters have mentioned, the quality of RCA jacks is extremely varied.
One is suppose to run balanced cables for anything over 10 feet (I think) and their shielding is better since you have 2 wires with a shield.
As for my ears, at age 50 with many years playing live music and working in loud places I will never hear the difference.

 

[Freedom]

This is all very good information. But I guess what I am really asking is. Has anyone swapped back & forth on home audio equipment, with a “Good Quality” XLR & RCA 3’ (1 meter) interconnect & heard any improvement on the sound quality? One way or the other?

 

[whoaru99]

This is all very good information. But I guess what I am really asking is. Has anyone swapped back & forth on home audio equipment, with a “Good Quality” XLR & RCA 3’ (1 meter) interconnect & heard any improvement on the sound quality? One way or the other?

Guess it depends on what you mean by good quality, but yes I have used both balanced and unbalanced between a preamp (preamp has both) and two different power amps (both power amps have both). If there was a difference it was one that didn't reach out and grab me. YMMV.

 

[Freedom]

Guess it depends on what you mean by good quality, but yes I have used both balanced and unbalanced between a preamp (preamp has both) and two different power amps (both power amps have both). If there was a difference it was one that didn't reach out and grab me. YMMV.

Thank you sir,

Jonathan