[rasmussen]

I have a pre amp/processor I like- a Cary Cinema 11. It has balanced outs and RCA outs, it is not a balanced piece.  I think the two channel performance is quite good and plan on keeping it. On somewhat of a lark after downsizing a pricey two channel Lavardin amp I am trying a pair of Monarchy Pro 70s in balanced mono mode and find them quite good although they do have a distinctive sound.

So ACI guys or Mike or experienced users of these products. Opinion on performance of the balanced connection hi pass box versus unbalanced RCA performance wise? The application is unbalanced with either connection. I can see the labeling for crossover frequency choices and slope for each and don't include that part of the difference in my question per say. Although I suppose the answer could be that higher slope is better and we just can't get the second order in an unbalanced line so use the box because even though it's break even on quality the higher slope enhances performance. On the other hand I don't however feel like my front speakers are particularly fragile and the first order has been kind of a standard for this app.

Thanks in advance for any replies
Larry R,
Seattle

[Mike Dzurko]

Although I suppose the answer could be that higher slope is better and we just can't get the second order in an unbalanced line so use the box because even though it's break even on quality the higher slope enhances performance. On the other hand I don't however feel like my front speakers are particularly fragile and the first order has been kind of a standard for this app.

Thanks in advance for any replies
Larry R,
Seattle

Larry:

I think the above is a pretty good summary. They both are sonically transparent. We came up with the balanced box primarily for those folks who had to have a balanced setup.  As long as we had the space and opportunity, we decided to make the balanced box a 2nd order filter.

[griller]

Just tossing in that I have found the RCAs to be audibly invisible to me. I did have to adjust the gain of the mains vs. the sub, but other than that they do their job as advertised

[rockadanny]

Ditto. No adverse effects at all. Just better overall clarity now with my mains.

[DR]

Same hear 

DR