Anybody got a good pair of XLR cables I could try ?

[Pure_Carbon]

Chaps.

I'm about to take possession of a piece if kit with XLR outs, and as I have XLR ins on my pre, seems rude not to try them ;-)

I'm currently using a pair of Van Den Hul Orchid RCA interconnects , 1m length, would I expect any sonic improvement with XLRs of a similar cost?

Ta.

 

[uncl_nigel]

I have been asking the same question recently and have yet to get a clear answer for a "normal" set up using interconnects of max length 1.5m!

The boss at a UK high-end importer seemed pretty adamant they (balanced XLR interconnects) were a studio/professional thing and not worth bothering with in hi-fi.

The editor/publisher at Hi-Fi World who signs himself as Noel Keyword seems to swear by them.

...

My personal listening with my own pre-power adn a cuple of sets of not quite identical Cardas cables were not really that conclusive :-( the variations could have been explained by the SE/balanced factor or by the differences between Golden Presence and Golden Reference...

PS the power amp in the margin has been replaced by something from Aesthetix.

 

[SergeAuckland]

Chaps.I'm about to take possession of a piece if kit with XLR outs, and as I have XLR ins on my pre, seems rude not to try them ;-)

I'm currently using a pair of Van Den Hul Orchid RCA interconnects , 1m length, would I expect any sonic improvement with XLRs of a similar cost?

Ta.

You won't get an improvement in sound quality unless hum is a problem with the unbalanced connection.

Balanced operation is of value only in reducing noise, especially in low-level circuits like microphones and/or where long cables are used, long as in 50-100 metres. With line-level sources and domestic length cables, there's no benefit to balanced operation with the possible exception of avoiding hum loops. If you have balanced ins and outs you might as well use them, but don't expect an improvement in sound quality. Oh, and don't be tempted to pay more than a fiver for XLR cables unless you ned long microphone cables in which case some star-quad is worth the extra.

S

 

[taff]

I've got a spare set of XLR 1M here you're welcome to borrow to try!