Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Streaming MS600 - Balance or Unbalance connection?

Hi all - Just wondering if anybody with non-DSP speakers have tried both balance and unbalance outputs and what has been the findings?

I assume balance is better, but what is the consensus here?

As I have a G68XXV (all balanced out) I can only comment on the 568/1 I had years ago. I tried this on both unbalanced and balanced (front 3 only) into my ATCs. It sounds much the same (after allowing for the level differences) but the residual hum on the unbalanced outputs was totally removed by going to balanced.

The main advantage is in this noise floor area.

Plasmatico,

I have non-DSP speakers (Kef) and I tried both balanced and unbalanced outputs when I first got my MS600. As mentioned above, there was less noise with the balanced outputs and that's what I chose.

That's not to say that there was excessive noise with the unbalanced output, so if you're able to compare both on your system then do so, but I realise it's not always easy if you have to get cables made up specially for example. (I assume your amplifier(s) will take a balanced input.)

I think there is a potential argument that the unbalanced has a slightly nicer sound, but I've been very pleased with my MS600 using the balanced out and do not sit listening wondering whether the sound quality would be any better with the unbalanced outputs - I think it sounds great!

Ian

I have a fully balanced setup all the way through the amp. I connected both the balanced and unbalanced outputs of the MS600 to the preamp and switched back and forth. My conclusion ... The balanced is louder.

I'm using 3ft interconnects for both. I now have the unbalanced going to my headphone amp, which if there was any noise, would be easier to detect. As others have said, either way, the MS600 just sounds great.

Wow. I'm surprised by the comments. I thought it was going to be balanced all the way. I have to buy about 15-20ft of cables as the audio rack would be on the side wall. So I want to make sure I buy the best, once.

Also, anybody bypassing the preamp and controlling the volume from the MS600? Thoughts?

Yes I am using the variable out and no pre. It sounds good but I have had some problems with this. I have an earlier post Using the variable output on the MS600 on this but to summarise, it partly depends on the gain of your power amp. Essentially if you try to push the volume past 87 on the iPad the sound starts to distort badly. Not something you expect from a luxury product. I was very unimpressed. If you stay below this you are ok. I found that an audio research ref 110 needed to be turned past 87 in my room but a Krell fpb-400cx I never get past about 75. So it's fine with the Krell but not the Arc.

In the end I am looking for a pre. Which so far as I can tell is what M intended (in which case why allow us to do it?).

Plasmatico,

I think for your interconnect lengths of 15-20ft you should definitely use balanced to minimise noise.

As CharlieU said - the balanced outputs are louder. I think that's typically an expected feature of balanced outputs (not sure if my terminology will be correct here, but I think there's a higher gain or signal strength, hence louder).

I don't have a pre-amp in my setup, MS600 connects straight into the power amplifier. The volume control is very good (whereas it was certainly not very good when I tried the same thing from an Ensemble a year or two back before I had the MS600!).

Commenting on Dr Nick's post above, I don't think I ever listen to anything much above a volume setting on the MS600 of 70, so haven't experimented on pushing past the point of distortion. I guess this is all dependent on the relative gain in the whole system and the sensitivity of amplifiers and speakers, and how well they're all matched. I find 70 more than enough in my system to be able to hear it a few doors away down the street...!

Ian

87 is full scale aka 0dB, any record that approaches full scale on a regular basis (most modern pop/rock unfortunately) will digitally clip and sound atrocious pushed past 87.