Balanced v. Unbalanced cables.... dumb question

[jgrif08]

I understand what the difference is between balanced and unbalanced cables. Im just wondering if there are any situations in which an unbalanced cable is prefferable / necessary over a balanced one?

I think I remember someone saying that insert cables are unbalanced, with the ground acting as a return for the signal, is that correct? are both balanced and unbalanced cables capable of sending a signal back and forth?

[Bob Olhsson]

Some gear sounds better unbalanced because the balanced circuitry was just tacked on. Other gear performs much better balanced because it kills noise within the gear in addition to noise from the outside.

On the whole, I'd say balanced tends to be less trouble to get setup right.

...at least this week...

[JazzYoda]

it is possible that a power amp designed to accept an unbalanced input will create hum when fed with a balanced signal by possibly tying one signal side to ground.

[dementedchord]

the only thing thats always unbalanced is guitar input all others can benefit from balancing the line.... now having said that most prosumer stuff is still unbalanced primarily becaus eof added cost/engineering as for the idea of tying one side of a balanced to ground for unbalanced input amp....go ahead if you like the idea of possibly burning out that side of the last stage of your pre/mixer..... deffinately NOT good idea..... also ground on unbalanced is not return path.... unless we're quibbling over nomenclature...