Balanced Interconnects

[itschris]

I was just thinking... I could hookup my Sunfire Cinema Grand to the Pioneer Elite 94 with balanced interconnects.

For whatever reason... I never even thought about doing that... even with my prior setup. I can pick them up from Blue Jean for about $150. I don't know a lot about balanced vs unbalanced so I'd rather no waste the money if there's no real benefit. Thoughts?

 

[bandphan]

the 94 doesnt have balanced outs does it?

 

[fmw]

No it doesn't have balanced inputs or outputs.

For the OP, the purpose of balanced lines in an audio system is to reduce the negative effects of long runs of cable. As an example, microphones are fairly uniformly set up with balanced connections so that the audio people can put a mike out on stage with the preamp somewhere off stage.

In a typical home installation cable runs aren't long enough that balanced runs are necessary or even useful. I don't know whether your home installation is typical or not, but if you are talking about interconnect cable lengths of more than 30 or 40 feet then you may need to consider a balanced set up.

 

[itschris]

Well hell, I could of swore I read in the manual that it did... I could have swore... but I'm probably wrong. Anyway, it makes for a good discussion I guess.

 

[bandphan]

Well hell, I could of swore I read in the manual that it did... I could have swore... but I'm probably wrong. Anyway, it makes for a good discussion I guess.

longer runs are good for balanced. Im not your amp is Full balanced?

 

[Halon451]

No it doesn't have balanced inputs or outputs.

For the OP, the purpose of balanced lines in an audio system is to reduce the negative effects of long runs of cable. As an example, microphones are fairly uniformly set up with balanced connections so that the audio people can put a mike out on stage with the preamp somewhere off stage.

In a typical home installation cable runs aren't long enough that balanced runs are necessary or even useful. I don't know whether your home installation is typical or not, but if you are talking about interconnect cable lengths of more than 30 or 40 feet then you may need to consider a balanced set up.

I would agree whole-heartedly, but how often is this the case in a typical HT setup? Line level interconnects are usually restricted to the same rack or stack they originate from, I can't think of a situation where you would have a source in one room, and the amp/AVR in another, which doesn't make any sense.

The post did intrigue me though - as most AVR's I have seen (not talking power amps) do not allow for balanced connections on their own. One would have to use a converter to take the unbalanced signal and turn it into a balanced signal, then back again at the receiving end. I would say the exception here is the use of self-powered speakers utilizing line level inputs - distances that could easily pass the 40 foot mark in length.