XLR cable or regular?

I have an MXL V63M microphone connected to a preamp. To go from the
preamp into the sound card, I do this:

Preamp XLR output - > XLR convertor to 1/4" cable -> 1/8" jack
convertor -> sound card mini mic input

I thought it would save money to do this:

Preamp 1/4" output -> 1/4" cable -> 1/8" jack convertor -> sound card

But there seems to be a decrease in sound quality. I thought maybe it
was my distance from the mic. I've tried several samples and I
believe it is the XLR quality making the difference. Using the first
setup, the sound is stronger, warmer, and more distinct. It's subtle
but I can tell a difference. Is it just me or does the first setup
produce more quality over the second?

brett wrote:

> I have an MXL V63M microphone connected to a preamp. To go from the
> preamp into the sound card, I do this:
>
> Preamp XLR output - > XLR convertor to 1/4" cable -> 1/8" jack
> convertor -> sound card mini mic input
>
> I thought it would save money to do this:
>
> Preamp 1/4" output -> 1/4" cable -> 1/8" jack convertor -> sound card
>
> But there seems to be a decrease in sound quality. I thought maybe it
> was my distance from the mic. I've tried several samples and I
> believe it is the XLR quality making the difference. Using the first
> setup, the sound is stronger, warmer, and more distinct. It's subtle
> but I can tell a difference. Is it just me or does the first setup
> produce more quality over the second?
>

The first setup works because the XLR convertor re-balances the sound
for use with the 1/4-inch cable. The XLR wiring is "balanced" whereas
the 1/4-inch is "unbalanced", or 3-wire vs. 2-wire, respectively. And
anybody with a good sound system can tell the difference. If you want
to save money, learn to make your own convertors for 1/8-inch and skip
the 1/4-inch to 1/8-inch stage.