Pass Labs amps XLR VS RCA

[RichardA1]

I was just wondering if anyone had compared both and had a preference? I had rca and used a jumper when breaking in my xa 100.8's and then switched to xlr. I know some equipment and designers seem to favor one or the other for whatever reasons. Any thoughts on the subject with pass labs amps?

 

[Joseph R.]

I am using the Pass Labs X250.5 unbalanced. Since my preamp is stricly single ended I have no choice. Still have the jumper pins in the XLR jacks from the factory. Am using 10 foot Burley IC’s directly from Pass Labs. I hear many systems as I am a member of two audiophile clubs. I also attend one major audio show a year. If I felt I was giving up something I would invest in a balanced preamp. Mike Sanders of Quicksilver believes in keeping it simple. Since I cannot give up my Quicksilver full featured preamp my system will stay unbalanced. At least until I get another ridiculous case of upgrade-itus. I guess it’s just a case of what camp you are in.

 

[Mikado463]

unless the circuit of the component is in fact fully balanced (example BAT Gear) the balanced connection(XLR) is there for convenience ( many prefer XLR for longer runs for better rejection properties)......... so I am told.

 

[Dguitarnut]

I like XLRs better. But comparison was not with identical brand cables

 

[rbbert]

According to Pass, the Pass Labs components are all true balanced. Many of Nelson Pass’s other projects are SE, though

 

[Mr Peabody]

Pass is differentially balanced topology. All I owned was RCA when I began acquiring Pass. I borrowed some XLR's. I went XLR from Pass pre to power but still had RCA from Levinson SACD to pre. I can't explain why, however, when I went to XLR from SACD to pre, completeing balanced from source to amp I noticed an improvement. If no improvement I would have stuck wit the RCA. The Levinson piece is differentially balanced as well. When I went to the Levinson amp I didn't compare, I just stayed with the XLR, since it was balanced as well.

I personally feel it's something you have to try, not all systems will have the same results. I remember years ago I had a Krell integrated and CDP, both fully balanced, I compared the sound of XLR and RCA, both being Transparent but I believe the RCA may have been a step lower than the XLR. In this instance I really couldn't tell a difference in sound only in volume, the XLR being louder, of course.

If memory serves the Pass gear does the conversion when using single ended so I was surprised when the improvement to XLR was large enough to make a difference.