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#1
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RCA vs. XLR
Hi there. I was just wondering what made XLR terminated cables cost so much
more than RCA terminated ones. Is there a difference in terms of connection or sound quality? Thanks Jade (Newbie) |
#2
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Jade wrote:
Hi there. I was just wondering what made XLR terminated cables cost so much more than RCA terminated ones. Is there a difference in terms of connection or sound quality? XLR cables are most often used in balanced systems, using three conductors as opposed to two in an unbalanced RCA cable. Two of these carry the signal in differential form (one line is a mirror image of the other): the shield is just for shielding and does not carry any signal. XLR connectors will cost more than RCA connectors for the same materials: the construction is more complex and there's more material in the connectors. The cable will also cost more due to the extra connector. However, you're probably looking at "audiophile" cables. Only top-end domestic hi-fis use balanced lines, and owners of such systems often have more money than sense when it comes to buying cables. Most pro audio installations (PA etc) use balanced lines to guard against the hostile environment (high levels of EMI from lighting dimmers etc) and to cut out ground loops (the mixing console may be on a different circuit to the source electronics). If you need an XLR cable, I'd go with a standard microphone cable or PA patch cable. Most of the music on your CD started its journey from the singer to you down one of those, so it may as well finish the same way! :-) -- Mark. http://tranchant.plus.com/ |
#3
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"Jade" wrote in message
... Hi there. I was just wondering what made XLR terminated cables cost so much more than RCA terminated ones. Is there a difference in terms of connection or sound quality? Have you ever looked at an XLR terminated cable? That should answer your question. Norm |
#4
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Just checked the Musicians Friend catalog -- a single 20-foot XLR cable
for $2.99, though you would have to buy two for stereo. Given the rigors of home use, this cable would probably last forever. Nonetheless, an RCA cable is still cheaper. The other difference in cost may be the cable itself -- while most musicians don't buy into the cable mystique, ruggedness and flexibility are important. Also, a cable used for live performance has to be free of microphonics when you step on it. Happy to report that Monster Cable sells two different cables for electric bass, depending on whether you play rock or jazz. Since I play in a "variety" band, does it mean I should change cables in between songs? ;-) Jade wrote: Hi there. I was just wondering what made XLR terminated cables cost so much more than RCA terminated ones. Is there a difference in terms of connection or sound quality? Thanks Jade (Newbie) |