I read this somewhere too. Do you have an example for which DAC this would be the case and do you also have a technical explanantion why that is so?
If you like via pm, as it is a bit OT here.
Thx
Denafrips Ares II says this in the manual for example:
"(3) Analog Audio Signal Output Balanced output via XLR (pin2 hot), singled ended output via RCA. The Ares II is a true balanced DAC, we recommend using balanced output whenever possible. The RCA and XLR output are shared, please use either of the output at a time. It is not recommended to use both RCA and XLR output simultaneously"
I believe the issue is it messes with impedance matching. If the DAC has separate buffers for RCA and XLR, it's not an issue since each would only see the impedance attached to it.
I read this somewhere too. Do you have an example for which DAC this would be the case and do you also have a technical explanantion why that is so?
If you like via pm, as it is a bit OT here.
Thx
I went ahead and took a look at the output stage on the Cyan 2 and sure enough there are 4 opamps, meaning RCA has its own set of 2 and XLR has its own set of 2. So yeah, this leads me to believe it's fine to have both connected on the Cyan 2.
I read this somewhere too. Do you have an example for which DAC this would be the case and do you also have a technical explanantion why that is so?
If you like via pm, as it is a bit OT here.
Thx
Denafrips and Musician DACs are definitely like this but it is not unique to those brands. My knowledge is not enough to explain the technical background.
Appreciate all the reassurances that the XLR/RCA thing isn't something to worry about. I had also reached out to Tim at Kitsune who said using both simultaneously was fine.
Appreciate all the reassurances that the XLR/RCA thing isn't something to worry about. I had also reached out to Tim at Kitsune who said using both simultaneously was fine.
This is not right. 5534 are single opamps means that they have one output. From the picture you can see there are 2 opamps per channel that would suggest both are used constantly for plus and negative symmetrical (balanced) signal. Pl us and negative signals go for XLR output, plus signal only goes to RCA out. That's why output signal is stronger on Cyan 2 comparing to Pegasus, and this is why connecting both outputs should not affect SQ. Opamps are propably output buffers that make resistors ladders immune to any output to next stage input resistans'.
BTW 553x opamps are known for about 40 years. it's disappointing to see those in modern designs, especially if Cyan2 is not cheap unit.
This is not right. 5534 are single opamps means that they have one output. From the picture you can see there are 2 opamps per channel that would suggest both are used constantly for plus and negative symmetrical (balanced) signal. Pl us and negative signals go for XLR output, plus signal only goes to RCA out. That's why output signal is stronger on Cyan 2 comparing to Pegasus, and this is why connecting both outputs should not affect SQ. Opamps are propably output buffers that make resistors ladders immune to any output to next stage input resistans'.
BTW 553x opamps are known for about 40 years. it's disappointing to see those in modern designs, especially if Cyan2 is not cheap unit.
Ah, thanks, I naively assumed 4 meant 2 for each output. So it's not a matter of each output having their own opamps but rather if the outputs are opamp driven at all, that takes care of the issue?
In fact there are to opamps more: OPA1612. These are located on the bottom of the picture you shared. OPA1612 is top of the line, modern opamp designed specifically for audio purposes. This is very interesting topology. I wish I could take a look on schematics of this output stage.
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