Balanced XLR vs Unbalanced RCA

Help,
I am new to this site and have once again joined the "Hi-Fi" set. In the late seventies I had a Linn LP12, Perreauex Pre/Power Amps, 2x Nakamichi Tape Decks, Revox Reel to Reel and a pair of B&W DM6's. I sold them all in the early eighties to go towards the purchase of a 10 acre lifestyle block and build a new home.
I have decided to get back into the Hi-Fi scene again after finding all my old LP's.
I have so far purchased a pair of B&W 802D's (still boxed after 4 months) and have placed an order for the following. Rega P9 with Ortofon A90, Plinius Koru phono stage, Plinius CD-101, Plinius Tautoro Pre Amp and 2x Plinius SA-Reference Power Amps.
I don't know which type of interconnect connections to go for. I am going to use Kimber Kable KCAG Interconnects.
I am confused as to which is better, XLR balanced or RCA, as I have read so many confusing ideas.
Plinius recommend XLR balanced but I am not sure.

Cheers
Hawkertempest

March 26, 2011 - 6:32pm

dumbo

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Last seen: 1 month 5 days ago

Joined: Sep 26 2009 - 6:59pm

The way I determined to go

The way I determined to go with balanced over RCA on my own setup was by referencing the documentation of my DAC/ Preamp manufacturer and noticing that there was a 3db increase in S/N ratio to be had by using the balanced connections verses RCA. After making the switch it only took a few minutes for me to realize I made the right decision. In my setup using the same volume setting that I always used with RCA the balanced cables provided a very noticeable difference in volume output over the previous RCA connection.

Im sure results will vary depending on what connection method your equipment was optimized for. I say it's a test worth experimenting with as you can acquire a decent balanced cable from someone like Bluejeans cable for under $50 to compare the differences between the two.

March 27, 2011 - 1:47am

JayArr

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Last seen: 6 years 6 months ago

Joined: Mar 24 2011 - 5:43pm

Wow!

I apologize for being off-topic, but I've got to say how nice it must be to spend nearly twice the average annual income of your countrymen on your new endeavor. Good for you! I wish I could do the same. I have to save for awhile AND armwrestle my wife just to get a pair of ProAc D28s! Welcome back to audio. I hope your certainly excellent sounds won't disturb the sheep.

March 30, 2011 - 12:32am

Hawkertempest

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Last seen: 6 years 6 months ago

Joined: Mar 26 2011 - 3:13pm

Thanks dumbo. I have come to

Thanks dumbo. I have come to the same conclusion myself. Plinius are recommending the balanced system and I think I just needed a bit of reasurrance. I have been doing a lot of surfing on the net over the past couple of days and have talked to a few retailers.
Cheers
Hawkertempest

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