Balanced vs. SE cables and ground loops

[Maril555]

I’ve been having a little bit of a ground loop noise in my system, very subtle, but annoying still.
Recently I’ve read in some thread here that one of the possible culprits of the ground loop noise
Can be a balanced cable along with a few others.
Coincidentally i have only one balanced IC, connecting line and phono stages as recommended by
A manufacturer (Thomas Mayer).
Yesterday I have replaced that cable with a SE one of the same DIY construction.
And what do you know, the ground loop noise has completely disappeared.
I’m wondering what is the mechanism by which balanced cable can introduce a ground loop noise into the
System.
I was always under the impression that balanced cables are inherently better protected from all kind on noises

 

[Holmz]

I’ve been having a little bit of a ground loop noise in my system, very subtle, but annoying still.
Recently I’ve read in some thread here that one of the possible culprits of the ground loop noise
Can be a balanced cable along with a few others.
Coincidentally i have only one balanced IC, connecting line and phono stages as recommended by
A manufacturer (Thomas Mayer).
Yesterday I have replaced that cable with a SE one of the same DIY construction.
And what do you know, the ground loop noise has completely disappeared.
I’m wondering what is the mechanism by which balanced cable can introduce a ground loop noise into the
System.
I was always under the impression that balanced cables are inherently better protected from all kind on noises

What is the question ^here^?

IMO You really need to take some systematic approach to start someone and add more to the system until you find the causal mechanism for the hum.
If it a streamer, then start with some RCA to ear buds.
And add in preamps and amps as you move along.

You can read some science books on how electricity works, or start doing some chin scratching tests.
Both is probably ideal, but hum will not going away from the presence of a book or from any incantations from therein.

Ideally you have a sketch of the system if the goal is to get rid of the hum.

 

[Maril555]

It seems I’ve found a solution and now I’m wondering about the mechanism by which substituting balanced for SE cable eliminated the hum.

 

[MarkusBarkus]

...incorrect pin assignment in the XLR cable? Or correct/typical, but the device has them switched, as some Japanese gear has, for example.

 

[mtemur]

...incorrect pin assignment in the XLR cable? Or correct/typical, but the device has them switched, as some Japanese gear has, for example.

Japanese units or cables don’t switch between signal and ground. They only invert phase by swapping plus and minus connections. It seems more like ground loop issue to me.