Doug Schroeder Method, Double ic

I'm wondering what you mean. Are you simply suggesting use of Y cables for XLR applications versus splitters? That has already been done, and I have reported on it.

I was thinking of dual input connections... Another thing to try would be if running single ended, to put the signal through one cable and the ground through the other, with the shields only connected at the source end.

The additional capacitance of the extra cable seems counter-intuitive, so my musing was looking for a different explanation.

OK- I tried this in three applications.
The phono cartridge is a balanced source and low impedance. I used the Atma-Sphere MP-1, which supports AES48. At the input of the preamp, this isn't a big deal but at the output it is. More of that coming up.
The phono input didn't seem to make any difference with an additional cable in parallel. BTW this would have cut the resonant frequency of the cartridge and cables in half (but that resonance is well into the upper 100sKHz with dual cables).
In the CD player however the difference was an immediate improvement. The CDP is single-ended.
On the output of the preamp I could not make out any difference. The connection to the amps is 30 feet long, but the preamp supports AES48 and can easily drive 100 feet. So the additional capacitance and connection resistance is a non-issue for it.

At present I don't have any balanced gear that does not support the standard so I can't comment about that. My surmise about what is happening here is that the connection is what is important- it would be interesting to try just running dual connectors into a single cable (sort of the opposite of a Y adapter) and see what happens.

Atmosphere....kindly post your findings.....I have a balanced system, am using Doug's system with no Y connectors made by AudioSensibilies, and have experienced a great improvement from regular XLR's

I will. BTW I'm pretty sure the Aesthetix preamps don't support AES48, so your experience makes sense.

Right Doug....2 -1 meter pair (phono to preamp, silver disc player to preamp) and 1- 5 1/2 meter pair from preamp to amp. Still not broken in.....interesting the 1 cable that is oldest is phono to preamp.... phono sounds WAY better than CD. All balanced XLR cables

I suspect that the equipment used is playing a role. In the case of balanced connections, if the equipment does not support AES48 (the balanced line standard) that you will hear improvements along this line. If the equipment *does* support the standard I would not expect any difference.

Just for fun though, I'll try it in my system. Our preamps have dual outputs so no need for a Y adapter at that end anyway.