Skylab
Reviewerus Prolificus
Balanced out puts are absolutely mandatory in my set-up, the way it's architected. The 2-channel sources all go to a 2-channel pre-amp, which goes balanced to my Sunfire stereo power amp. My surround sources go to a Rotel surround preamp, which goes to the same Sunfire amp unbalanced. Basically, both the 2-channel rig and surround rig "share" the same stereo power amp and main speakers (there is another Sunfire multi-channel amp driving the center and 3 rear channel speakers). This works well since the Sunfire had both balanced and unbalanced inputs. But it does require that my 2-channel preamp have balanced outs.