Balanced vs RCA preamps
How important is it that your Pre-amp has both balanced and RCA capabilities? I’m shopping for another pre, most likely tube, and it seems to make sense with any future component that it offers both XLR and RCA. And to further complicate the search finding both these features plus remote limits the offerings for both tube and SS particularly tube.
@emergingsoul I like it I have one of our MP-1 preamps driving about 35 feet of balanced cable which connects to the amplifiers. The tonearm has a balanced connection to the preamp as does the DAC. My tuner is old school so its a single ended connection to the preamp. The speakers are Classic Audio Loudspeakers model T-3s which are 98dB 1 Watt/1 meter, 16 Ohms and flat to 20Hz. |
For the most part it's purely bragging rights. XLR connections when fully and correctly implemented can reduce noise and eliminate ground loops. In some circumstances this can be huge, but for most of us it's minor. Also, as others note, if you are using very long runs to other devices with truly balanced inputs this is helpful in ensuring there's no noise pickup along the way. Some devices, like some Parasound amps as an exmaple, have XLR inputs as convenience but they are not balanced inputs, so you don't get the benefit of a long run with less noise. |
To the OP, Balanced Audio Technology (BAT) makes several tubed preamps. Most of their models are solely balanced. Heck, "Balanced" is even in their brand name. However, the model VK-80 has two balanced inputs and three RCA inputs as well as balanced and RCA outputs. If you are looking to buy a used preamp, their model VK-33SE is the predecessor to the VK-80 and has the exact same inputs/outputs. I owned the VK-33SE and can speak for its sonic excellence as well as build quality. I made a step up in the BAT product line and now have the VK-90. Highly recommended as a brand of excellence in all regards. |
Back to the Spatial Audio Lab Raven tube Preamp it is fully balanced and dead quiet. If you don’t need a lot of output power their suite (mono’s & pre) punch far above their cost. Like wow….Ahyho… Years ago I was yacking with Mr. Internet, Kevin Deal (he does know his stuff) and he said on the RCA/XLR question that component build quality is what matters. Recently I swapped in/out RCA/XLR cables from source to pre and from pre to monos. My data set of one could hear no difference. As for my build quality, that’s another matter. Lifetime guarantee? Who’s lifetime? |
