XLR vs RCA

[Reorx]

I know that XLR is balanced, and RCA is not.
Is there a audible audio difference between the 2?

I am just curious, because both my amps have XLR inputs, and I am using bare wire.

Reorx

 

[j_garcia]

Theoretically there should be much lower noise floor with XLR due to the separate ground.

 

[highfihoney]

i run xlr whenever possible because i like the connection better but when i switch between xlr & rca i cant hear a difference,ive heard guys who say that one connection will sound better over the other in their systems but ive yet to hear a difference in my systems.

 

[smokey007]

xlr is used for long cable runs. if its a short hookup between the amp and proccessor. there is little to no difference between the two. in my experince there was none. On longer runs of cable it would be a wise choice to go xlr. but anything between 3 to 6 feet stick to rca.

 

[mulester7]

xlr is used for long cable runs. if its a short hookup between the amp and proccessor. there is little to no difference between the two. in my experince there was none. On longer runs of cable it would be a wise choice to go xlr. but anything between 3 to 6 feet stick to rca.

.....there it is....but I will change the first sentence to say, XLR is BEST used for long cable runs....microphone XLR inputs on the back of a mixer/head are low impedence inputs, and you can run a cord 100 yards....microphone 1/4 inch inputs on the back of a mixer/head are high impedence inputs, and you best not run a cord over about 35 feet, or you'll begin to hear noise distorting the voices....I'm going to step out on a limb and say XLR outputs and inputs on our stereo equipment are low impedence also, and RCA outputs and inputs are high impedence, but I wish someone would nail down that one with knowing truth....WMAX, GIT THAT MANGY BUTT IN HERE AND CLEAR THAT UP!!....if you have a choice with your pre-amp and amps, I would use the XLR cables, you can find them fairly cheap....if XLR is better for long runs, why wouldn't it be better for short, even if you don't think you can hear a difference?....correct, hillbilly reasoning best attainable barefooted.....once again, I offer two outlets for XLR cables that appear to be thick, quality aplenty, and inexpensive.....

http://www.cablestogo.com/product_list.asp?cat_id=2029&engine=adwords!654&keyword=(xlr+cables)

http://www.av-cables.net/pro-audio/pro-audio.html?OVRAW=xlr cables&OVKEY=xlr cables&OVMTC=standard

 

[3db]

Going out on a limb here

.....there it is....but I will change the first sentence to say, XLR is BEST used for long cable runs....microphone XLR inputs on the back of a mixer/head are low impedence inputs, and you can run a cord 100 yards....microphone 1/4 inch inputs on the back of a mixer/head are high impedence inputs, and you best not run a cord over about 35 feet, or you'll begin to hear noise distorting the voices....I'm going to step out on a limb and say XLR outputs and inputs on our stereo equipment are low impedence also, and RCA outputs and inputs are high impedence, but I wish someone would nail down that one with knowing truth....WMAX, GIT THAT MANGY BUTT IN HERE AND CLEAR THAT UP!!....if you have a choice with your pre-amp and amps, I would use the XLR cables, you can find them fairly cheap....if XLR is better for long runs, why wouldn't it be better for short, even if you don't think you can hear a difference?....correct, hillbilly reasoning best attainable barefooted.....once again, I offer two outlets for XLR cables that appear to be thick, quality aplenty, and inexpensive.....

http://www.cablestogo.com/product_list.asp?cat_id=2029&engine=adwords!654&keyword=(xlr+cables)

http://www.av-cables.net/pro-audio/pro-audio.html?OVRAW=xlr cables&OVKEY=xlr cables&OVMTC=standard

I was of the understanding that XLR input is a differential input as opposed to a single ended input. If any noise was burried in the signal leading to an XLR input, the noise would cancel one another as the noise would be the same polarity on both the +ve and -ve terminals (op amp theorey) . This may explain why one can have longer cable runs with XLR as opposed to RCA (single ended).

 

[parkerbender]

here's another related question, i have a couple rca runs going long distances (longer than 50 feet) across my house, my preamp does not have xlr connections, is there a way to convert/ would there be any improvement if one could convert? not reallllly certain in the difference in grounding systems between rca and xlr, thanks!!!
-parker

 

[3db]

two choices here

here's another related question, i have a couple rca runs going long distances (longer than 50 feet) across my house, my preamp does not have xlr connections, is there a way to convert/ would there be any improvement if one could convert? not reallllly certain in the difference in grounding systems between rca and xlr, thanks!!!
-parker

a.) make sure the parallel distance between the cables is at least a foot to eliminate any cross talk or induced noise

b.) If you can't do a.) twist them together to make a twisted pair.