When to choice XLR over RCA ICs.
If your IC connections are 1m or less is there a difference between using XLR over RCA Interconnects?
As one moves up the ICs cable lines with a manufacturer (ex. Audioquest) which connections would you upgrade first and in what order.
My system is McIntosh (C12000 two part preamp, Men220 room equalizer, MC611 mono-amps), Audioquest (AQ) Niagara 5000 line conditioner, and Hi-Fi Rose 150b streamer.
I am currently using AQ Black Beauty XLR ICs. I have a pair of 1m Firebird RCA ICs and would like to replace one of the Black Beauty ICs in system configuration. Future upgrades looking for recommendations.
Presently using a AQ 2m Thunder 20A power cord from wall socket to Niagara.
Using 4ft AQ William Tell (Silver) bi-wire combo speaker cable (mono-amps to 800d3 speakers.
Thank you, Please advise.
Bob
There is no real difference at one meter. However there may well be a difference in how each is implemented in the Amp. Often XLR is implemented with a small transformer which colors the sound a bit and amplifies it. Louder sounds better. Also, the term balanced implies that RCA is imbalanced. Balanced must be better. People make choices based on superficial impressions like this.
Jerry |
@kraftwerkturbo XLR input is often implemented using one of these little transformers that up's the dB. https://www.jensen-transformers.com/transformers/line-input/ |
@vinylshadow I use RCA for that reason. I'm always a less-is-more guy. Also, "longer" is at least 30 ft. Jerry |
