"Mike Gilmour" wrote in message

"Arny Krueger" wrote in message
news
"Jim H" wrote in message

more from the 'Arny Krueger school' of uk.rec.audio-ism:

That it became the predominate connector for consumer audio is IMO
a miscarriage of justice and technology. The good news is that a
proper audio system can be constructed today with audio signals
passing through exactly zero of these techno-abortions.

Out of interest, what's so bad about the phono connector? They've
always seeemed, on admitedly an uninformed anaysis, to me intuative
and rather neat way to terminate coax.

Has a significent, audible differences between short phono and XLR
terminated cables runs been demonstrated? Or is it merely a
theoretical shortcoming?

Compare and contrast XLR versus RCA

(1) XLR connectors have at least 2 insulated conductors plus ground
so they can be used for balanced I/O. The RCA can't. Advantage - far
fewer problems with hum and noise, particularly in complex setups.

(2) The XLR connector latches in place, so it doesn't fall out of
its socket by accident. The latching mechanism is very robust - you
can hang relatively heavy objects with a good quality XLR cable.

(3) There are no exposed signal-carrying parts with an XLR
connectors, so critical signal-carrying parts are mechanically
protected when the plugs are unmated.

(4) XLR connectors make the ground connection first and break it
last. This reduces noise and transients when you insert or remove
them when equipment is turned on.

(5) XLR connector signal-carrying pins are large and wipe over a
long area when the plug is mated.

(6) XLR connectors are self-centering and self-locating when you
mate them.

(7) XLR connectors are very robust - you can step on them, even
drive a truck or run a road roller over them, and they will still
work.

(8) Modern XLR connectors incorporate effective cable strain relief
and are easier to assemble than RCA connectors.

(9) Quality XLR connectors are relatively cheap compared to
so-called high quality but poorer performing RCA plugs. You can get
a quality XLR connector from a top manufacturer for under $2 in
small quantities.

(10) Quality XLR cables are also relatively cheap compared to
so-called high quality but poorer performing RCA-based interconnects.

What do you suggest instead? I suppose toslink, or phono used
digitally?

There's a digital standard that uses XLR plugs. It's called AES/EBU.

Fun disadvantages of XLR in the domestic setting :

(1) When you trip over a lead the equipment comes too.

Install it properly! If nothing else, Velcro it down.

;-)

(2) You need serious back panel real-estate for home cinema.

Use separate components. Who needs receivers anyway?

;-)

(3) When plugging blind you need to align it.

Nothing that any sucessful married man doesn't already know how to do.

;-)

Another advantage of XLR (leads):

(1) You can daisychain 'em easily

:-)

Not a joke, except that one of our RAO audio eggsperts just had to have this
pointed out to him in another forum.