Balanced vs Unbalanced Digital Cables

I suppose it could vary depending on how the equipment is designed, but from what I’ve read a balanced connection is the preferred digital connection in general unless you have i2S as an option.

Thanks and that’s what I’m thinking but wanted to hear from others!

XLR is designed for long cable runs and noisy environments. Like concerts with tons of gear and cables. Or recording studios. I’d say it depends how your equipment is designed. If it is fully balanced internally, then, obviously, use XLR in order to avoid balanced to unbalanced conversion and back. However, if equipment is not balanced, then RCA may be better choice since why convert RCA - XLR - RCA back again? The fewer conversions, the better.

NO! Digital data transmission down an RCA SPDIF coax is a solved problem and perfectly fine. 

There are two types of IEC 60958 standard AES EBU non-optical cables:
Type I Balanced: 3-conductor, 110-ohm twisted pair cabling, XLR connectors, used in professional installations (AES3 standard).
Type II Unbalanced: 2-conductor, 75-ohm coaxial cable with RCA connectors, used in consumer audio.

In a home audio system, it won't make one bit (I feel a pun coming on)
of difference.

Best advice:
K.I.S., S.

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