[Traddad]

I'm running ~30ft of good quality cable from my computer/dac to my home stereo in another part of the house. Would it be better to put a pre-amp on the DAC end to boost the signal for such a lomg run?

 

[royewest]

Isn't this what balanced cabling is all about?

 

[FallenAngel]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Traddad /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'm running ~30ft of good quality cable from my computer/dac to my home stereo in another part of the house. Would it be better to put a pre-amp on the DAC end to boost the signal for such a lomg run?

A 30-ft IC is OK, make sure the output stage of the DAC can handle such a capacitive load. A pre-amp would work just perfectly for this purpose.

Quote:

Originally Posted by royewest /img/forum/go_quote.gif Isn't this what balanced cabling is all about?

Nope.

 

[Pars]

Quote:

Originally Posted by royewest /img/forum/go_quote.gif Isn't this what balanced cabling is all about?

Yes. Balanced interfaces reject common mode noise much more than a single-ended interface as you are currently using, due to the 180 degree out of phase + and - signals present. Balanced in the headphone world is used more for its double the voltage swing vs. a SE amp than for its noise performance.