Help with 650 balanced directly connected to Mini-Dac

[shellylh]

I just ordered a Mini-Dac and plan to use it to use my 650s balanced. I am looking for help on what cable to buy to connect the 650 through the XLR out of the Mini-Dac. I am leaning towards getting a balanced Blue Dragon v3 cable with female xlr termination (if possible). [I have a Blue Dragon v2 right now and I am very happy with it. The v3 is supposed to be quieter which would be nice. ]

My question is whether I need to have anything special done to the cable/mini-dac or if I can just plug in any balanced 650 cable with female xlr right into the back of the mini-dac. I read something about having to do something special but I can't remember what is was.

[shellylh]

Anyone?

I wanted to also mention that this will replace my bedroom setup: Oppo DV-970 > MF X-Can v3 > Senn HD 650. I was wondering how much better Oppo DV-970>Mini-Dac (output through xlr)>balanced 650 would sound than Oppo DV-970 > MF X-Can v3 > Senn HD 650. If I am not going to hear much of an improvement over X-can setup, I may cancel my order for the Mini-Dac since my plan was to sell the X-Can and go for the simple setup.

[xenithon]

...whether I need to have anything special done to the cable/mini-dac or if I can just plug in any balanced 650 cable with female xlr right into the back of the mini-dac

Plug it straight in - I really enjoyed my time with the balanced HD650 straight out of the Mini-Dac. Only thing you should ensure is that the internal jumper for the XLR output is set to variable (i.e., you control the volume via the front volume knob) and not fixed (which sets it at max, essentially disabling the volume dial).

I was wondering how much better Oppo DV-970>Mini-Dac (output through xlr)>balanced 650 would sound than Oppo DV-970 > MF X-Can v3 > Senn HD 650

IMO it would be a huge improvement. I used to own an X-Can V3, and although there were a few items in between it and the acquisition of the Apogee, the latter was certainly superior (most likely due to the balanced operation and how well the HD650 scales in that respect).

Also, don't forget that the Mini-Dac's actual DAC section will be far superior to the Oppo sending an analog signal straight to the MF for amplification.

One thing you might consider though - if you get something like the BD V3, perhaps have it terminated like a "standard" balanced headphone cable (male XLR's) and use an adaptor such as the Neutrik NA3/FF. That way you leave the door open for a balanced amp sometime in the future

[shellylh]

Thanks!

[HeadphoneAddict]

Sounds like you got good advice.

I opened my mini-dac and moved the jumper to make the XLR output variable, and bought 8 foot APureSound V3 cable with female XLR, and the HD600 run fine right off the XLR jacks.

I also bought a couple of solid Neutrik XLR adapters with a male plug on both ends from partsexpress.com, so that if later I get an amp then I can still use the same cable with the amp's female jacks.