Hi Phil, The differences you're getting between the XLR and single ended cables are standard. I often do tests with the same cable, between the XLR and RCA versions. Mostly I get similar results to yours. The XLR has a deeper and louder bass, theres less extention at top end, with a slightly closed in sound compared to the SE, which in some cases, depending on the cables, it leads to muddiness in the mids which you might see as distortion. Sometimes the mids are just slightly sweeter with the XLR. But there definitely is a big difference between the sound of each output. rgds, david PS I am back to SE cables. Initially the XLR seems more impressive because of the extra bass ouput but with further A/B testing you'll see that the RCA is more musical and the XLR is more hifi and mechanical sounding.
XLR/Balanced problems???
I'm using a Pass Aleph 3 amp, Pass Aleph P preamp, a Studer(revox)A727 CD(professional model), Cardas Quadlink speaker cable, Mission 753 speakers, and both balanced and unbalanced Cardas Cross interconnects. I'be been using the variable output on the CD with unbalanced Cardas Cross and the sound has been a little bass shy, but fine(even with the CD volume at maximum...and I know Aleph 3's aren't bass heavy amps). I recently started using balanced Cardas Cross cables from the CD to the pre-amp. The signal is much louder, and the bass is much stronger...so much that it distorts a bit(especially noticable on vocals). Is this natural? Is my problem with the speakers(I've never had the problem before), or should I forget about using balanced interconnects?