Ref 3 singled ended use?

[Bavarian05]

Does anyone here currently run the Ref 3 singled ended outputs into a amp/amps or have any experience doing so?
I have always read that ARC is at it's best when run fully balanced, but wondering what kind of penalty (if any) one would encounter using it with single ended amps (RCA inputs only)?

[cmalak]

As a fully balanced design, it's better via the XLRs. Technically the difference you should hear is simply a downshift in gain by 6dB going from balanced (XLR) to single-ended (RCA), however, for some reason, when you equalize for gain, I still think the Ref 3 sounds more resolving when partnered with a balanced amp and connected via said outputs. YMMV

[sander]

Originally Posted by Bavarian05

Does anyone here currently run the Ref 3 singled ended outputs into a amp/amps or have any experience doing so?
I have always read that ARC is at it's best when run fully balanced, but wondering what kind of penalty (if any) one would encounter using it with single ended amps (RCA inputs only)?

It depends on your poweramp.

I use the Ref 3 single ended on a single ended poweramp and it sounds wonderful.

When i bought this amp (Sonore Artacus, a dutch design, class D amp) i compared it with a Spectral DMA250. With the Spectral there was no significant differents between SE or Balanced output.

I also compared it with Pass Labs xa60.5.
Here, the difference was huge!
The soundstage and feeling of great power and controle almost exploded, compared to SE.

I eventually chose the Sonore because of it's neurtral and fast sound. Pass Labs sounds too warm for my taste. And it took almost an hour before it sounds great. Before that there's no fun in listening.

So if your poweramp is specificly designed as a balanced design, use your Ref 3 balanced output.
If your poweramp is specificly designed as a Single Ended design, you can use it SE without any problems or feeling of loss of anything.

Sander