I'm considering building a fully balanced system (well working backwards from the pre/power amp which are balanced).
My question is where exactly I may start to hear benefits from having the balanced signal, as it may require me to replace less of the system.

Starting with digital, the chain will potentially look like this:


Streamer - SMSL DP-3 (new) --- AES/EBU output to:

Digital EQ - Behringer DEQ 2496 (already own) --- AES/EBU output to:

DAC - Topping DX7s (new) --- Balanced XLR outputs to pre/power amp.


If I can skip replacing the streamer and get the same results using spdif (Toslink) out from my current streamer into the DEQ and "start" the balanced signal from there, that would be more appealing (at least financially!).

Even better if I could skip replacing anything and get (as near as makes no difference) the same result having an unbalanced signal up until the pre-amp then I will stick with that as I fear the point of diminishing returns may well have been reached!

Interested to hear thoughts and opinions.

Of course there are further benefits to replacing my current setup with the kit mentioned, not least the ability to play 32/bit and DSD files so a bit of future proofing is also part of the equation.

Cheers,

Chris