XLR versus RCA

[Al ears]

Not only are these the cables used in production, they're also made to last. If they survive recording studio's and music venues, they'll survive every living room.

And that's the point, they don't get the same abuse in a hifi set-up so are unnecessary, also the reason many HiFi manufacturers don't go with the added expense of fitting them.

 

[manicm]

Here's my rule - if a component is truly balanced, and not piggy backing off the unbalanced topology, then use the balanced socketry.

 

[matthewpianist]

A few years ago I had Quad Artera Play (CD/pre) and Stereo (power). I tried balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA versions of the same QED cable, and heard not a jot of difference, and this was with several different pairs of speakers. Go with whatever you have and enjoy the music.

Balanced connections have their place in pro-audio and live music applications, where I have found ruggedness and noise rejection over long runs to be invaluable, but aren't necessary in a domestic environment.

 

[Al ears]

A few years ago I had Quad Artera Play (CD/pre) and Stereo (power). I tried balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA versions of the same QED cable, and heard not a jot of difference, and this was with several different pairs of speakers. Go with whatever you have and enjoy the music.

Balanced connections have their place in pro-audio and live music applications, where I have found ruggedness and noise rejection over long runs to be invaluable, but aren't necessary in a domestic environment.

I would agree.
Always liked the ridgitity of an XLR connection but would not pay out just to get a pair of interconnects if I didn't already have a pair

 

[JoelSim]

I have the EXN100 and use the XLR outputs to my Leema and the RCA outputs to my Primare, there's very little difference tbh.

I did have Mogami RCAs until recently, and Chord Shawline XLRs, found the Mogami harsh in comparison with the Chord offering a much more enjoyable presentation, so I bought RCA Shawline too on eBay.

I don't use the EXN100 as a preamp, and btw I absolutely love it.