Maybe. Balanced inputs are not much of a factor in home systems. Fully balanced end-to-end systems, from the DACs through the power amps, without phase splitters in the analog path, interconnected with XLR cables, is what gives you the (theoretical) gain. I say theoretical because I can't tell the difference in short-term listening between my AT3000 (fully balanced) and my AT602 (unbalanced, with single-ended connections) in short-term comparisons within the AT602s power capabilities. The QSCs are full of protection circuitry that's all about making the amps foolproof in on-the-road sound reinforcement use (not transparency),filters (at least they're switchable),and gain controls that may or may not affect their transparency in long-term testing. I'd certainly consider them as bass/sub amps, but for the spectrum above 150Hz in a home audio music system I'd rather have an amp without so much electronic gunk in the signal path that's useless to me.