Preamps with balanced ins/outs and remote

... I am indeed saying that you need the low output impedance even if you are not driving a low impedance load...So true, you want the signal to drop across the load, not the preamplifiers output circuit. Its a simple voltage divider rule. The lower the amplifier's input impedance becomes, the more important the pre amplifiers output impedance becomes(need it to be LOW).

...It is the balanced standard that allowed the record labels to do the job that they did back in the late 50s (often known as the Golden Age of Stereo), when exotic high-buck cables did not exist... So true again. Listen to an old Peter Paul and Mary record, like the very first one, fantastic.

Atmasphere is 100% correct, except that most high buck cables are not really made right, just expensive.

I don't think you'll get true balanced circuits all the way through for 1K. Maybe a buffered input that is balanced, but it eventually goes unbalance into the overall gain strage. Why? It cost twice, or more, as much to be fully balanced all the way through. A cheater plug that uses just PIN 2 referenced to ground is common. This is done all the time to accommodate those with XLR's.

Something to look out for if not already mentioned is that you need to be careful with inexpensive preamp claiming to be balanced. As Rower mentioned, many companies will install an XLR connector on the back of their unit an say it has "Balanced Connections" when in fact, it is simply a single ended input through an XLR connector to accomodate those with balanced cables. It is no different than a single ended RCA connection.

If you find a preamp you are interested in that claims to have balanced connections (regardless of price), be sure to verify exactly what type of connections they are.

I also wanted to add to the discussion of output impedance. It is true that the lower the output impedance, the better a preamp will drive most solid state or low input impedance amplifiers. Our Purity Audio Design preamps have been paired with Audio Power Labs amplifiers at shows with an input of 600 ohms and MBL amps with 5k ohms.

Another thing to consider is the gain of the preamp. To high (or even to low) of an output gain and you will not be able to realize the full potential of your system.

In regard to the different sound of cables I think much of this has to do with their construction and material. All cable companies will make claims but in the end, it is your system and ears that will tell you what is best.

Two thoughts: A McIntosh C2300 preamp. Also, if you ever go to a music server, you can use SmartGain (included with ripping software like dBPoweramp) to level the relative volume of various digital files.

In regard to the different sound of cables I think much of this has to do with their construction and material.

With regard to balanced operation, the statement is mostly false. However it is widely believed by many in high end audio. "Mostly" as in: as long as the cable has an adequate shield with a twisted pair within for the signal, then other construction details and materials will be rendered moot.

However as I mentioned before if the standards of the balanced line system are *not* observed then the above-quoted statement is true.