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Balanced vs RCA between amp/preamp

Well I'm taking my first step into separate components with a Marantz SC-11s1 and SM-11s1. Would like to know about the +/-'s of using RCA vs balanced interconnects between the two. All my input sources are single ended.

I understand the Marantz components balanced connections have pin 2 wired cold and pin 3 wired hot. Does this mean I need to reverse the cables going to my speakers (if I decide to use balanced connections between amp/preamp).

I also understand the RCA connections conserve absolute polarity. But is there a performance "hit" taken by using singled ended connections between amp/preamp?

Thank you in advance......
wec56

Showing 1 response by audioman58

audioman58's avatar
audioman58
3,836 posts
 
Having been involved with every facet of Audio for over 35 years 
balanced if True balanced would be a bit quieter.
that being said your Amplifier and preamp need to have transformers for the input,outputs to be what is considered a True balanced . Most amplifiers have whst I call quasi balanced 
a  XLR but when you take the top off  it is wired  on the same grid
wiring with the RCA. I is a added expense to do properly .
check your components before spending any added costs. Jensen 
make some very good transformers for this application,
there are several good transformers out there I am not certain if Lundahl make any this small . 
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