Quick question for you all. I just purchased a fully balanced tube Amp but my dac does not have balanced outs. Is there any work around besides just buying a balanced dac? I've seen people recommend these rca to xlr adapters, and I know these are not safe to use for headphones but what about for a dac->amp purposes? Appreciate the help!
Balanced amp without balanced dac question
- Thread starter Nemesis9
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What? Lol I have other dac/amps that are paired currently I just needed to know if there are any other options besides buying a balanced dac for this Amp. I've also seen people using the dac dongles that have balanced outs for this purpose.
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I did buy it on purpose. I'm just asking if any of my current equipment could work with plugs or a USB dac with a balanced out before I invest in a fully balanced dac.
Whazzzup
Headphoneus Supremus
You don’t need a fully balanced dac, you need 3 pin xlr out from the dac whether it’s se or balanced. That’s the oopsy
So why can't I use an adapter or a 3.5mm to xlr cable from dac to amp?
Whazzzup
Headphoneus Supremus
Just cause no one’s helping, if you want to utilize the balanced topography of the amp, and adapter will not do it. Even an se dac like my TT needs the analogue component conversion to balanced out 3 pin xlr to fully utilize my balanced amp
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chesebert
18 Years An Extra-Hardcore Head-Fi'er
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Just use the rca input. I doubt the tube amp is actually differential - probably just an input transformer to convert balanced to single ended. Good for noise control, which is important for tubes.
What’s your amp and dac?
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Amp is the apos gremlin tube Amp. Dac is a tone one board. Also ordered a little fiio k3 with a balanced out I could use in case. I did email apos and they said it wouldn't work with a xlr adapter. Maybe just covering their butt.
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chesebert
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Don’t see the harm except for 6db lower volume and not using half the circuit.
I was just always told never use single ended into balanced or could damage headphones.. Guess this is different
I would go with Apos advice as my balanced amps have a selector for inputs between balanced and single ended.
In an earlier configuration of my current stack, I had an Aiyima hybrid amp/DAC plugged into my HO200 amp using those RCA->XLR adapters you mention.
Worked fine and sounded great, then after a couple months I ended up getting the DO200 mk2 DAC so I could run a balanced chain from end to end.
Worked fine and sounded great, then after a couple months I ended up getting the DO200 mk2 DAC so I could run a balanced chain from end to end.
Yeah but I believe the difference is this tube Amp is fully balanced, it doesn't even have unbalanced connections. That's why I worry about messing something up.
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