XLR or RCA?


Dear audiogon community,

It was recommended, in another post, that I try a difference IC cable. I was considering the audio quest columbia XLR. ( I am currently using xlr cable between by c2300 preamp and mc275 amp). However, I then read that xlr cables only provide a real benefit if you are using balanced cables throughout your entire system, which I presume means from my turntable into my preamp. Is this true? Because if it is, perhaps I should switch to RCA. That is, my tonearm cable ends with RCS cables. In fact, my pre-amp does not have xlr inputs for phono (though it has them for everything else).

I plead with you, the wise audition community, to lead me out of this mystery!
elegal

Showing 1 response by knownothing

OK, in theory from this discussion should I take it that, all materials being equal, XLR cables are more resistant to noise than RCA cables? That noise can be both a function of cable length and EMF environment? And furthermore should I assume that more complex construction, at least in terms of shielding, should reap bigger benefits for RCA cables versus XLR cables? But what about wire configuration (I.E. metallurgy, thickness, shape) and dielectric composition? If you believe these are relevant at all, wouldn't they be relevant and affect the "sound" for both types of interconnects?

I understand and accept that many of these variables are highly application dependent (gear, physical location relative to EMF, ears and beliefs of the listener), and there is no substitute for "try before you buy", but I am just looking to see if I have grasped the relevant information in the discussion above...

kn