Balanced Inputs

Balanced inputs often offer 6dB increased gain. That can be valuable for a phono, worthless for a DAC.

Thanks. I was leaning that way.

...depends.....many times balanced connections are included, but they are not balanced at all, but are a sales gimmick

What @cleeds said. ✔

unbalanced interconnects may pick up noise (such as RFI) in your environment with long runs. 

Balanced interconnects are mostly immune to this, but rule of thumb is to keep cables short if possible. Only need to be as long as required.

Tiny amounts of gain can be lost with very long interconnects. So do keep that in mind.

@stringreen depends.....many times balanced connections are included, but they are not balanced at all, but are a sales gimmick

Yes, there’s a distinction.

Are these “true “ balanced circuits/signal paths, or just XLR connectors for convenience?

Charles