[Retfeg]

I am building a home hi fi set up and need your advice.

My current DAP is Astell & Kern AK100.

I am also looking to purchase a Hifiman Sundara headphones.

Even though AK100 is a high end DAP, I am not sure it will be good enough to drive the Sundaras.

Sound fidelity is important to me. Did some research and kind of decided to go with Drop THX AAA 789 to match its cleanliness with the Sundara.

I am not necessarily going to use it in Balanced mode right away, but I am glad to have an option.

If I do go with the Balanced mode, please help me understand.

AK100 has a balanced option.

Will I need to run both a balanced cable from AK100 to XLR balance in on 789? Do I also need to get a balanced cable for input of Sundara into the amp to get the full balanced benefit?

Or do I just need to use one or the other cable to get a full benefit of balanced connection.

Any recommendations for good cables without breaking the bank?

Any thought would be highly appreciated.

 

[MRODEZE]

The 780, no matter if you use XLR or not are not truely balanced. I'd recommend something else if your looking for the "real" balanced inputs.

 

[Retfeg]

I don't need to have balanced input necessarily. It is just that 789 supposedly has crazy clean and good sound for its price.
I am not married to it.. Is there another Amp for under $300 that is just as good that you can recommend?