RCA to RCA versus RCA to XLR

This is an older HH Scott Tuner? Stick with the RCAs, be prepared for ground loop noise too. A lot of those were 110 vac.. Get a ground loop eliminator. That will fix you right up.. Doesn’t matter if you use a balanced input or not. The RCA is not.. it’s single ended just use RCA to RCA. The noise eliminator may work better on one end or the other too.  You may have to ground the the little gadget, they have that option..

Regards

I’m not disagreeing with you, I’m saying YOUR way has no benefit to the TUNER, it can’t it is a single ended RCA going to the pre amp not from it. Your way may reduce noise in the cable via the shielding but not by inverting the signal. Doesn’t it have to terminate and then compare to cancel the outside noise, if there is a problem with that?

I’m just an old mechanic I’m always open to being taught by those MUCH wiser than me.. I welcome your experience pounding it through my thick head.. :-)

Second (ly) I’m pretty sure its a 110vac unit. It will have a difference in voltage vs the 120 vac preamp it will have noise. I was adding the ability to put the ground loop eliminator on either end of the run.. That was the biggest thing for me.. The weave addressed a great way to reduce noise without shielded cable.. Your way has it. AGAIN shielded cable gives way to certain SQ issues I can eliminate differently..

Is my way wrong? OR is there a bit of "different" thinking going on. Teach me.. :-) I’m ALL EARS.. It’s the second day of the week I’m ready for school.

With great respect and regards..

Without seeing the preamp schematic I can’t say for sure but it is likely you’d get an improvement in ground noise rejection as long as ground is connected to only the cold wire (XLR pin 3) at the RCA end.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I try to explain thing simply.

The Tuner has RCAs only, going TO a pre amp with both, RCA (single ended) and XLR (a few variance). There would be ZERO benefit for the Tuner and the pre amp supposedly has a lower floor noise because of onboard XLR tech, anyways.

Now going from the pre amps XLRs to another piece of gear with XLR plugs, should have a benefit. Though they are not ALL wired the same much less balanced just because they use an XLR plug.

BUT the source, this OP has, will see NO improvement other than enjoying a better type of termination. XLRs, if they were used, you loose the ability to move a ground loop eliminator on either end of the run..
I think that is a better reason to have RCA to RCA on both ends..

If you really want to help with noise (RFI EFI or getting high :-)) use a weave it is one of the best noise eliminator via no shielding.
RCA benefits big time from using JUST a weave..

Regards

What about shielding on cable, are you a fan? I’ve found that shielding in the real world is a God sent. BUT in the stereo world it can really dummy up the sound, I mean really mess with the clarity and SQ.

I’ve found some shielding in my world was a robber of just about EVERY audiophile term ever invented. Then small separate woven stranded types of cable (helix) work wonders in SQ improvement and noise floor reduction. 6 years for me..

Ribbon cable and flat wire cable construction are pretty amazing thing too. Zero noise issues.. HERE..

There was a truck rout right next to my home. Trucks with CBs and CHPs with Ham. The rout was changed 15 years ago and CHP use a different type of radio now, so. NO NOISE.. Better cabling.. :-) Things I’ve learned HERE. 40 year now.

I think sun spot are through the roof too. Weird crap going on here the last two, three weeks. (X-Files theme song)

Regards

Thanks.. There is a LOT of WiFi signals to pick from HERE.
They are not affecting mine so far.. I run a lot of valves and a few RCAs. I run MI carts 4.5 to 5.5 no need for a SUT. Little ZP3 is not very susceptible to WiFi, that I can hear.. BUT just 2 cell phones, and a router are on WiFi. Everything else is hardwired except the burglar alarm phone.

I may be a little unrealistic but I’m not a personal fan of WiFi..

I’m a bit of a tin foil hat person.. Cell phone stay away from me unless I’m using one.. Not to often now..

It would be nice for Ralph to weigh in, I always like his commentary, easy read, but very thorough.