Why do people prefer RCA in/output over single-ended?

[CSMV]

After reading threads in head-fi for a while I realized that many people
prefer RCA in/outputs over single ended, and almost all amps above a
certain price range(especially non-transportable) also features only RCAs.

So does RCA have an intrinsic technical advantage over single ended?
Less crosstalk? Is the difference subtle or glaringly obvious, that it will
soon become a bottleneck as you upgrade the system?

I'm asking this because I'm considering a Stax system for my next purchase,
and I'm planning to use my MicroDAC, which only has a mini output, as the source.
Will the mini->RCA link significantly limit the SQ? Or do the actual components
make much more difference and I don't need to worry about it at this point of time?

 

[JahJahBinks]

Quote:

Originally Posted by CSMV and almost all amps above a certain price range(especially non-transportable) also features only RCAs.

Because almost all the CD players have RCA output, but not single ended. Single ended is most common on computers/MP3.

Benefit of RCA vs. single ended is reduced channel crosstalk

 

[agile_one]

errrr ... RCA connections are single ended.

Are you comparing RCA connections to Mini-Stereo, which is also single ended? Is the fact that there are two RCA plugs vs one Mini Stereo confusing you?

 

[CSMV]

Quote:

Originally Posted by agile_one errrr ... RCA connections are single ended. Are you comparing RCA connections to Mini-Stereo, which is also single ended? Is the fact that there are two RCA plugs vs one Mini Stereo confusing you?

Oh...yeah. My mistake. Not talking about any balanced stuff here.
I'm comparing two RCA(Phono) plugs vs one Stereo plug. Yes.

I want to know if being limited to a stereo output from my DAC would have
a significant (negative) effect when considering the level of equipment I'm
talking about. (thinking about using my MicroDAC with Stax Basic 2)

 

[Teerawit]

The mechanical connections on the RCAs are more secure and probably more robust.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CSMV I want to know if being limited to a stereo output from my DAC would have a significant (negative) effect when considering the level of equipment I'm talking about.

That's a topic of a whole 'nother debate...

 

[ken36]

How mighty is the Microdac? Computer as source? I still use the Mighty Microdac to feed my EMP AE.

 

[raisin]

And mini-stereo doesn't have locking connectors.