XLR vs RCA

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dannyny

Active Member
Hey guys.

I have the option to run XLR cables from my CD player to my preamp to my amp. Do you guys think I would get a significant sound difference from my current rca setup?

If yes what is a good value XLR cable? I would need 4 cables at 1 foot long. 2 feet max.

Thanks in advance.
 
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I don't think so. There really isn't a reason it should make a big difference unless you are currently having noise ingress problems.

IMO, if you're buying, I think good value (quite relative and subjective, of course) is from Blue Jeans Cable made with the Belden 1800F cable stock. You can specify length and they adjust the price accordingly. You also have some choices of cable jacket color. Maybe you want all black cables, or white for left and red for right. There are five or six colors to pick from.
 
I would run balanced if your gear can, it will be dead silent and the locking termination is great. Monoprice website has fantastic cables that are quality and affordable.
People upgrade rca cables for the better sheilding but with xlr that is a none issue, so being guaranteed the best results for least amount of cash seems to me a no brainer.
 
The RCA connector has sucked since it was introduced in the early 1940's, for mechanical reasons. The XLR is much more robust. The RCA used in an interconnect is not bad as long as you use a quality RCA plug. I would suggest going to Blue Jeans Cable for your cables. They make both RCA, and XLR's great quality at a good price. My system is largely connected by BJC's. They even made me a 25 foot cord for my AKG 240MkII's that uses a mini XLR at the headphone.
 
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I use BJC RCA cables. XLR's are good for long runs. Sure they have a more secure connection but thats it. You won't here a diffence between the two... RCA jacks are just as good as XLR for home use... If you have the XLR connections go ahead and use them...
 
Xlr usually allows more voltage too...most gear that has xlr allows/pushes more voltage and has different impedances at the input/output. That can have affect on sound or not. More to xlr then just rejecting noise.
 
If you have the choice run XLR, emotiva also makes high quality XLR interconnects that don't break the bank but look, feel and sound like they would.
 
Rex Aeterna said:
Xlr usually allows more voltage too...most gear that has xlr allows/pushes more voltage and has different impedances at the input/output. That can have affect on sound or not. More to xlr then just rejecting noise.
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Only because there is a +/normal and -/inverted signal, usually resulting in 2x voltage swing. However, on the other end, it's expecting the same so the net result is this doesn't mean all that much, if anything, going XLR to XLR.

OTOH, if you're trying to mix-match XLR and RCA connections then you might run into a 6dB signal voltage difference, but that's typically much ado about nothing too. You'd just have to turn the volume knob a little more or a little less.
 
Mine are diy...Mogami 2549 cable with Neutrik NC3M(F)XX-B ends. But for cables as short as you need, BJC would be the easiest route.
 
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whoaru99 said:
Only because there is a +/normal and -/inverted signal, usually resulting in 2x voltage swing. However, on the other end, it's expecting the same so the net result is this doesn't mean all that much, if anything, going XLR to XLR.

OTOH, if you're trying to mix-match XLR and RCA connections then you might run into a 6dB signal voltage difference, but that's typically much ado about nothing too. You'd just have to turn the volume knob a little more or a little less.
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That is true. Was just mentioning it since no one else haven't yet.
 
It's not universal but in general if something has an XLR it's probably running a higher line level than something with RCA connectors. In short runs with no problems you're looking to avoid, I wouldn't sweat it. You probably won't notice any difference. If you have some XLR cables hanging around or can borrow some from a musician type friend, give it a listen and make up your own mind.
 
I use both the xlr and rca connections on my amp. The Balanced goes to my AV Processor and the RCA to my Audio Research SP-16 tube pre-amp. The reason is I now don't have to use the HT pass through which requires the SP-16 to be on. Saves on tube life. Just takes a simple flip of the switch on the back of my amp.:thmbsp:
 
If you have a fully balanced system I would use the XLR, I would use them even if it was not but you have inputs and output for them.
 
^^^

I agree, but note in the big picture there are very few fully balanced pieces of gear out there.

The vast majority of stuff with XLR inputs and outputs has normal circuitry inside, just with balanced input/output tacked on. It is not inconceivable where unbalanced/RCA connections might actually sound better as there could be fewer parts in the signal chain.
 
lizard84 said:
You're kind of ignoring the look and feel part of my statement so I'll ignore your question.
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OK so trust me I'm not ignoring the 2 points but the 3rd is what I want you to expand on......if you wish to ignore that's cool but it suggests there wasn't much meat on the bone when you stated what you did. For the record once installed many cables are seldom seen so forgive me if I discount look and feel as falling short in comparison to how they sound in a sound system.
I'm no cable skeptic so close that door, I champion premium cables but for budget use I use monoprice for budget cable as it "looks" as good, performs as expected and is much cheaper.
Just curious what "break the bank" sound is and examples of like priced cables it beats sonically.
 
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All this talk of look and feel.....:banana:




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