XLR cables for a reasonable price?

atmasphere

Opamps can generate a balanced output easily enough, but not one that is floating.

Correct. And I know you are really focused on the AES48 balanced standard, because you keep mentioning it. But you’ll just have to accept that many manufacturers use balanced, differential circuits in other ways, and they do so successfully.

@soix @marco1 @j-wall 

I'm also enjoying an Atma-Sphere MP3.3 with Class D's. I wasn't certain about this balanced/ XLR deal coming from RCA's my whole life, but all I can say is that I'm done with RCA's. I hope I never have to deal with them again!

I am happily with my Morrow MA4s and MA5s in XLR. I also used Kimber Select KS 1116s and they are great—much higher price point than the Morrows. They were a little better than the Morrows but a lot more expensive. In my system at least, balanced cables always sound better RCAs, no contest. 

@veerossi don't even get me started. I was supposed to be waiting a few months to jump into the MP3.3 lagoon, and hearing this has me really curious. I've enjoyed my cable tweaking, but haven't gotten to RCA'S yet so if I can skip this step and go fully balanced and not need to wonder "what if", I'm all in. What pre did you come from before and what do you think about the RCA and swapping to balanced on the MP3.3?

@atmasphere hey Ralph, why don't we have a balanced speaker cable yet? Is this possible?

@j-wall

I was going to wait as well, but I came across a nice deal I couldn’t turn down on a MP3.3. I’ve only had integrated gear until now. This is my first set of monoblocks and first time using a separate preamplifier. I’ve gone through lots of gear in the past and most of it used RCA’s. I’ve tried from the bottom-of-the-line RCA’s to top-of-the-line and DIY as well. The results were all over the board. My DIY’s with Duelund wire, their RCA connectors, and Cardas solder sounded better to me than some of top brand cables. It was a pleasant surprise.

This is my first time with gear where I’m using the balanced/ XLR connections. I’ve only tried 2 XLR brands so far, but I’m pleased with my current setup This combo of gear with the Mogami’s sounds wonderful to me. My gear and cable chasing days are over. Now, on to the next part of my journey: room treatment.

If your dealer has an MP3.3 configured the way you want- grab it. YOLO...or whatever the kids say nowadays. It transformed my system and I have nothing but good things to say about it. BTW: I was using the Lumin streamer LeedH volume control direct to the monoblocks before it.