F A Q
45
XLR
(balanced). If you have runs longer than about 15 feet, balanced cables offer
superior noise immunity, while the usually higher current available from a balanced
output prevents cable loading from affecting frequency response. They also will not form
ground loops.
These cables send a balanced signal over a twisted pair of signal conductors and place a
grounded shield over the whole thing, so it’s practically impossible for normal levels of
ambient RF or magnetic noise to couple into the signal wires, and balanced input circuits
reject common mode signals, so ground loops are moot.
It's hard to find a bad balanced cable, because they’re most commonly used by studios
and in performance venues, which can’t afford problems of any kind. These end users
will be merciless in their criticism and will boycott low quality items, which will thus not
survive long on the market.
This, however, is one case where we will make a specific recommendation for those who
want something unassailable, and that is Mogami Gold cables. They’re not cheap, but
neither are they very expensive.
Q
: My source has a volume control that I would prefer to use, rather than the speakers’
own volume control. What volume level should I set the speakers to?
A
: All the way up. Simply keep pressing the + button on the remote control until you
stop hearing increases in the volume.
Q
: Is it better to use the remote volume control in the speakers or the one in my source
or digital player?
A
: That depends on the quality of the alternative volume control, but in practical terms, it
won’t matter much or at all.
The control in the speakers is implemented in software using 64 bit calculations. This will
reduce the S/N ratio at lower volumes, but the resolution will be unaffected.
This is equivalent to most players’ volume controls, at least if the player is running on a 64
bit system, which is pretty much universal these days, so there’s no reason in that case to
prefer one over the other, except that the remote control is usually going to be more
convenient.
On the other hand, if your source is a high resolution DAC that controls its volume by
way of the reference voltage to the DAC chips, then you will get the maximum S/N ratio
