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  #1  
Old 10-31-2021, 09:15 AM
Breakdown7 Breakdown7 is offline
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Default Accuphase single-ended vs balanced with P-1000 and C-275V

When using my Accuphase P-1000 amp with C-275V preamp, I've always questioned whether or not to use balanced vs. single ended cables. To my understanding, neither the P-1000 or C-275V are truly balanced designs. (someone correct me if I'm mistaken). With this in mind, it seems using RCA cables would make for the most direct signal path and better sound quality. Curious as to you guy's thoughts before I invest in more cables.

None of my sources are Accuphase, so they are the standard XLR pinout design used with gear here in USA. I currently have been using balanced cables throughtout and select "invert phase" on the preamp. Maybe going to nice single ended cables throughout would be the better option?

Last edited by Breakdown7; 10-31-2021 at 10:24 AM.
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  #2  
Old 11-01-2021, 08:52 AM
meltemi meltemi is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Breakdown7 View Post
When using my Accuphase P-1000 amp with C-275V preamp, I've always questioned whether or not to use balanced vs. single ended cables. To my understanding, neither the P-1000 or C-275V are truly balanced designs. (someone correct me if I'm mistaken). With this in mind, it seems using RCA cables would make for the most direct signal path and better sound quality. Curious as to you guy's thoughts before I invest in more cables.

None of my sources are Accuphase, so they are the standard XLR pinout design used with gear here in USA. I currently have been using balanced cables throughtout and select "invert phase" on the preamp. Maybe going to nice single ended cables throughout would be the better option?
C-275V: the input and output circuits are balanced, the potentiometer is not.
XLR polarity is inversed (2=inverted, 3= non inverted).
When using non Accuphase sources you can select the output phase of the C-275V. However the audible effect might be very small or even imperceptible.

P-1000: the input and driver stages are balanced, the output stage is not (just push-pull).

IMHO the sound quality is more convincing with balanced cables, provided the cables are absolute top notch.

Try to get some demo cables from a dealer and compare for yourself.

Martin
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Old 11-02-2021, 02:54 AM
Charles Charles is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Breakdown7 View Post
When using my Accuphase P-1000 amp with C-275V preamp, I've always questioned whether or not to use balanced vs. single ended cables. To my understanding, neither the P-1000 or C-275V are truly balanced designs. (someone correct me if I'm mistaken). With this in mind, it seems using RCA cables would make for the most direct signal path and better sound quality. Curious as to you guy's thoughts before I invest in more cables.

None of my sources are Accuphase, so they are the standard XLR pinout design used with gear here in USA. I currently have been using balanced cables throughtout and select "invert phase" on the preamp. Maybe going to nice single ended cables throughout would be the better option?
That's a very excellent question. I think it comes down to hum in your system. Do you have any hum at all? Can you turn all your inputs to 100% and have no hum? If you can then unless you need long runs of cable balanced doesn't matter.

However, I don't think single ended connections are as reliable as balanced. I thought the optical connection a bit bright compared to coaxial. So I bit the bullet and bought a digital coaxial (must be single ended) IC to go from my MVP 881 BR to my Mac D1100. It was a WEL Signature and the cost was 4K for one meter!

I got home looking forward to a nothing to it hook up. Well, the connection was tight, really tight on one end of the IC. To make a long frustrating story short, Audioquest didn't even balk at the fact the interconnect was defective and the replacement one was fine but I wouldn't even take it home until it was hooked up at the dealer to verify a good connection. The sound was super but it brought back all the bad memories I've had with RCA connectors.

In general, I avoid all single ended connections if at all possible. Even so it becomes virtually impossible to keep all of them out of your system. But if you have zero hum and your RCA connections are tight but not too tight, i.e., just right, I think there is no audible difference. Then you are down to the quality of the cable or interconnect.

If I can, I never use single ended cables or IC's.

Best

Charles

____________________
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Last edited by Charles; 11-02-2021 at 04:26 PM.
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  #4  
Old 11-03-2021, 02:03 PM
Breakdown7 Breakdown7 is offline
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Thanks so much for the input guys. I definitely agree that XLR connections are much more secure, no doubt about it. The two reasons I was second guessing balanced cables with the Accuphase system are, simplifying the signal path and the +/- pin layout being reversed to the US standard. Maybe I am overthinking this thing. I really do appreciate the input thus far and anyone else who cares to share their experiences.
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  #5  
Old 02-24-2022, 06:19 PM
Iansr Iansr is offline
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Truly balanced cables are always to be preferred if there is the option because of CMR. There are a number of very well respected audio designers who consider SE cables to be the Devil’s work . . .
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