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Is it an error to buy a balanced DAC if you only use RCA (SE) ?

post #1 of 6
11/17/10 at 11:45am
Thread Starter 

Me again,

 

Hope it's not a stupid question....

 

If I have no intention on going balanced, will I make a mistake by choosing a Balanced DAC ? Also, the Sabre chip, is it only used  for balanced DACs ?

 

This should help me narrowing down the DAC I will choose...

 

Thanks

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post #2 of 6
11/17/10 at 11:58am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Denys View Post

Me again,

 

Hope it's not a stupid question....

 

If I have no intention on going balanced, will I make a mistake by choosing a Balanced DAC ? Also, the Sabre chip, is it only used  for balanced DACs ?

 

This should help me narrowing down the DAC I will choose...

 

Thanks


Not an error at all.  You can be ready if you ever decide to go balanced.  Or you can use the XLRs with a SE amp.  I have a couple of them I use in that fashion (RCAs to SS amp & XLRs (with adapter or XLR to RCA cables) to a tube amp).

Some folks will say it is a waste, and I thought that as well until I tried it out..  On my balanced rig, I use the XLRs balanced and the RCAs with a tube hybrid.

 

Good luck
 

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post #3 of 6
11/17/10 at 12:02pm
Thread Starter 



 

Quote:
Originally Posted by HeatFan12 View Post



Quote:
Originally Posted by Denys View Post

Me again,

 

Hope it's not a stupid question....

 

If I have no intention on going balanced, will I make a mistake by choosing a Balanced DAC ? Also, the Sabre chip, is it only used  for balanced DACs ?

 

This should help me narrowing down the DAC I will choose...

 

Thanks


Not an error at all.  You can be ready if you ever decide to go balanced.  Or you can use the XLRs with a SE amp.  I have a couple of them I use in that fashion (RCAs to SS amp & XLRs (with adapter or XLR to RCA cables) to a tube amp).

Some folks will say it is a waste, and I thought that as well until I tried it out..  On my balanced rig, I use the XLRs balanced and the RCAs with a tube hybrid.

 

Good luck
 

 

Oh ! Great !! Thanks....Glad to hear that !! Caus I'll use the RCA connection to go to my Woo amp and the XLR/RCA cable to go to my Asgard !!!

 

Now, I only have to choose between Wyred 4 Sound 1 or 2....or Audio GD NFB 1 or NFB 7....to be used with my M2tech !!!

 

Thanks

 

Denys

 

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post #4 of 6
11/17/10 at 12:21pm

Cheers....beerchug.gif

 

I have tried adapters and cables and both sound great.  Here is the adapter just in case you go that route (Hosa GXF-132).  Amazon usually has them for 5-7 dollars each and Guitar Center about 9 dollars each...

hosa.jpg


Edited by HeatFan12 - 11/17/10 at 12:23pm
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post #5 of 6
11/20/10 at 2:19am

The balanced to single ended adapter plugs are awful and noticably worsen sound. I have tried lots including Cardas. All awful!

 

Macrog

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post #6 of 6
11/21/10 at 9:38am

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by macrog View Post

The balanced to single ended adapter plugs are awful and noticably worsen sound. I have tried lots including Cardas. All awful!

 

Macrog


Is it the plug or that something is wrong with the circuitry in the piece of gear? Id bet on the later.

 

[joke]It could also be your interconnects. Perhaps they just aren't compatible with a balanced-se signal.[/joke]

 

If its done properly bal-se with a plug isnt terrible, quite far from it in fact.

 

On that note, the OP should get some RCA-splitters and use them to run both of his not-balanced pieces of gear. If the unit has a non-balanced output use it!


Edited by nikongod - 11/21/10 at 9:39am
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