USB audio - Balanced XLR versus unbalanced Cinch

Unbalanced circuitry with balanced inputs or outputs

Indeed there are components that have balanced connectors but do not have a properly balanced signal. Only the positive pin will carry signal and the negative pin will be connected to earth. But they are rare. Normally components that work unbalanced internally but offer a true balanced signal on the outputs derive it from the unbalanced signal by means of an inverter-circuit. This circuit can consist of only one or two surface mount components but if it is added to the perfectly good unbalanced signal it can be seen as extra circuitry. But in most cases the output stage will be built with balanced outputs in mind and as such won't neccesarily introduce extra circuitry.

Real balanced operation

Real balanced components have double circuitry inside: separate stages for the positive and negative side of the signal. Balanced cabels not only carry double signal runs (one in phase and one reversed phase) but the circuitry also outputs a higher voltage signal. But is balanced better by definition? The reality is that it differs per application. It really depends on the way a component is designed, what cable is used to connect it with and it also depends on the component that it is connected to.

The official benefits of true balanced operation are mainly in the field of noise cancellation. This is most effective with very long cable runs of say 15 meter and more. Then you will really start to notice how much better balanced is at suppressing all kinds of noise and hum that is pickud up by the cable over its entire length. But the situation is different when using cables of just one or two meters. Then the benefits are less clear.

Subjective audio matters

But there is more to balanced cables and circuitry than just the suppression of noise. Everything that you do to the signal has an effect, be it positive or negative. The same goes for balanced audio and balanced cables. A balanced cable will already sound different because it has different connectors and a different conductor and associated dielectricum. This is not even taking the nature of the signal into consideration.

In my experience, applying balanced cables makes for a "grander" sound. The stage becomes larger and colours become fuller. Especially when using Transparent (the brand) cables of the same type, swapping unbalanced for balanced the changes are as described above with the addition of more "flow", more fluidity and ease. But that may be because there are now two network boxes in the chain and a different geometry cable. In general, everything else being equal, going balanced makes for a grander, more fluid presentation while going single ended makes for a more punchy, more narrow and focused presentation.

Even when using unbalanced components that have XLR connectors, in my case it mattered a lot when I went for balanced cables. Even when both my preamp and poweramp were unbalanced internally, adding the XLR cables made for a sound with much more scale and drive.

In the end, none of the theory matters. You'll just have to try it out for yourself to see what you prefer. Just rest assured that great result can be had with either connection method. And as always, it also comes down to taste.