![]() ![]() The official benefits of true balanced operation are mainly in the field of noise cancellation. Some components just don’t have enough headroom and can sound stressed or maxed out when driven with balanced cables and a high-output source. It really depends on the way a cable or component is designed. But is balanced better by definition? The reality is that it differs per application and cable brand, and is also taste-related. ![]() Jeff Rowland uses the latter.īalanced cables not only carry double signal runs (one in-phase and one reversed-phase) but the circuitry also outputs a higher voltage signal. This can be done with transistors, an opamp, or a transformer. At the receiving end (the amplifier’s inputs), the two signal halves are normally summed, and thus any induced distortions are negated. Don’t think however that plus and minus sides of the input signal are connected straight through the amp, they are not. As a result, a stereo power amplifier actually houses 4 amplification circuits. True balanced components have double circuitry inside: separate stages for the positive and negative side of the signal. This circuit can consist of only a couple of transistors, OP-Amps, or other surface mount components as well as a transformer, but if it is added to the perfectly good unbalanced signal, it could be seen as undesired extra circuitry. This type of input puts no strain on the source components. Then there are components that work unbalanced internally but offer a true balanced signal on the outputs derived from the unbalanced signal by means of a passive transformer or an active inverter-circuit to add/subtract the positive and negative signals and in doing so to retain the function of the balanced signal. I’ll explain more about this further below. The latter is fine, the former not so much because not every source component is happy having half of their output being shorted to the ground. In some cases, only the positive pin will carry a signal and the negative pin will be connected to earth or is left floating and is just not used at all. There are downstream components that have balanced connectors but do not actively use the balanced signal. Unbalanced circuitry with balanced inputs or outputs Below I try to make clear that there are indeed differences but that it is very system dependent and ultimately perhaps also a relative matter. Of course, I have my own take on this matter as well. You will always find people in both camps that claim to know THE TRUTH. Just like the old analog versus digital matter or Mac versus PC, Balanced versus Unbalanced and/or XLR versus cinch connections is a discussion in which many people seem to have a definite point of view. ![]()
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