balanced/xlr vs. unbalanced/ single ended


would a true balanced pre/processor to amplifer (Meridian) sound measurably better than single ended/ unbalanced. all the interconnect cables are 1 meter. the speaker cables are 14 ft. for the fronts and 42 ft. to the rears. all high end/expensive cables.
Does anyone have a fully/true balanced Meridian processor/amp combo into passive speakers?
128x128jwt

Showing 1 response by hevac1

Tonyptony
Balanced has about a 6 db higher gain than single ended in most cases.
It can limit both your upper and lower volume ranges. I had a Pass Alpha P in balanced mode to 2 Moon W-6 mono amps. With gain dials set to minimum and the volume just off 0, it was just a little too high of a minimum volume for my taste and the maximum volume was around 4 O’clock.
I do not have any problems with my ARC Ref3, it handles all volumes ranges, my usual volume setting is 40 and that on the Pass was about 1.5

Jwt
I also have a problem now with my Meridian G68AXV. When in calibrate I must setup the system at 85db cause I cannot get the test tone lower than 80 DB for the front speakers. So I just do 85 db all around instead of 75 db.
I do think that the efficiency of your speaker, wattage and input sensitivity of your amps also come in to play.
I do agree with most here and that balanced is the way to go, it just sounds cleaner and more open to me.

IMHO