[sdiy] more on balanced lines

[metasonix]

> I understand that expensive transformers sound better than cheap ones,
> but why do transformers in general sound better than active balancing
> circuits? Are there any problems with active balancing circuits, or is
> it just some "pleasant" distortion added by the transformers, even by
> the expensive ones?

Transformer distortion is totally unlike electronic amplifier
distortion--intermodulation is much lower than THD in transformers, 
which is the opposite of amplifier circuits (IM is usually higher
than THD). 

It was covered in my IEEE article.
http://www.spectrum.ieee.org/select/0898/tube.html


-- 

Eric Barbour
Owner, METASONIX (www.metasonix.com)
Senior Editor, Vacuum Tube Valley magazine