Why Single-Ended?


I’ve long wondered why some manufacturers design their components to be SE only. I work in the industry and know that "balanced" audio lines have been the pro standard (for grounding and noise reduction reasons) and home stereo units started out as single-ended designs.

One reason components are not balanced is due to cost, and it’s good to be able to get high quality sound at an affordable price.
But, with so many balanced HiFi components available these days, why have some companies not offered a fully-balanced amp or preamp in their product line?
I’m referring to fine companies such as Conrad Johnson, Consonance, Coincident, and Bob Carver’s tube amps. CJ builds amps that sell for $20-$39K, so their design is not driven by cost.

The reason I’m asking is because in a system you might have a couple of balanced sources, balanced preamp, and then the final stage might be a tube amp or monoblocks which have SE input. How much of the total signal is lost in this type of setup? IOW, are we missing out on sonic bliss by mixing balanced and unbalanced?

lowrider57
Well I can Say the Atma-Sphere amplifiers with the Classic Audio Loudspeakers sounds Sublime with Clarity, Musicality, Frightening Dynamics, Smoothness its just plain Truth Full!




I learn more from Ralphs Writing than i ever have reading other professional designers post here at Audiogon!!!
 Stuff justs clicks so much faster the way he explains it.
Surely there is best way for any individual. You and I may not agree on what is best since we may value different virtues, but having on opinion on what I find best does not mean that opinion should be ignored.
Impossible to argue with that, Herman (nor would I want to, I agree 100%), unless of course you are a dogmatist, in which case you know what is best for everyone!  I don't claim to speak for keithr, but I suspect that he was referring to someone who presents their ideas as dogma.  And I agree with gdnrbob, it's refreshing to read someone who writes clearly. 
Well I can Say the Atma-Sphere amplifiers with the Classic Audio Loudspeakers sounds Sublime with Clarity, Musicality, Frightening Dynamics, Smoothness its just plain Truth Full!

+1, dragon-vibe.  Wish I could afford those Classic Audio speakers!  If I ever hit the lottery...well, if I ever buy a ticket and then hit the lottery ;-) 
Its a prize possession to behold. The Sheer Size of the speaker at first was overwhelming. I wanted something that would stir emotions when listening to a setup. This does that and more in spades. Im running my pair on the New Nirvana Amplifier Atma-Sphere has soon to release.