I should note, i use Balanced cables with my amps because i get an audible level of interference with RCA cables. I am not exactly sure where it is coming from, as this is the first house i have had this issue. However, with Balanced cables i get no interference, due to their construction and operation as John eluded to.
Also as John noted the lack of Balanced outputs on Oknyo products... I looked at the Onkyo website, the only product that i could find that has Balanced outputs was the PR-SC5508... Which receiver do you have?
dak, from my pre-amp (5507) to my amp (xpa-5) i use XLR to XLR; no problems, no hum or noise at all; love the sound. for my channels 6 & 7 i use XLR from the pre-amp to RCA to the UPA-2, again, no problems, no noise or hum either. from my pre-amp to the sub (X-ref 12) i use XLR to XLR; no trouble, no hum or noise.
