Is the RCA-outputs powered?

[Kossamu]

I have an Objective2+ODAC by Head'n'hifi that I wish to connect to a powered speaker audioengine A5+. I have tried to search his website (which is down) and contact the owner by mail which has been unsuccessful. How can I know if the RCA-outputs are powered? I have read that plugging in powered outputs to a powered speaker might damage them.

 

[Alcophone]

I have an Objective2+ODAC by Head'n'hifi that I wish to connect to a powered speaker audioengine A5+. I have tried to search his website (which is down) and contact the owner by mail which has been unsuccessful. How can I know if the RCA-outputs are powered? I have read that plugging in powered outputs to a powered speaker might damage them.

I suspect the confusion is between connecting a speaker amplifier (with speaker binding posts to connect to passive speakers) to active speakers (with RCA, XLR or TRS inputs, not binding posts). Or maybe the headphone jack of a headphone amp to the RCA inputs of the powered amp, that could be an issue as well.

But if you're connecting a device with stereo analog RCA outs to a device with stereo RCA ins, it's likely fine, provided something is regulating the volume. The active speakers have a volume knob, so just turn that all the way down before connecting everything and then slowly increase the volume while music is playing. Then you should be safe.

 

[Kossamu]

I suspect the confusion is between connecting a speaker amplifier (with speaker binding posts to connect to passive speakers) to active speakers (with RCA, XLR or TRS inputs, not binding posts). Or maybe the headphone jack of a headphone amp to the RCA inputs of the powered amp, that could be an issue as well.

But if you're connecting a device with stereo analog RCA outs to a device with stereo RCA ins, it's likely fine, provided something is regulating the volume. The active speakers have a volume knob, so just turn that all the way down before connecting everything and then slowly increase the volume while music is playing. Then you should be safe.

Ok, I will try that thanks for reply. If I turn the volume knob on the objective 2 odac and nothing happens with the speaker, are the RCA-OUTPUTS not on the amplifier then?

 

[Alcophone]

Ok, I will try that thanks for reply. If I turn the volume knob on the objective 2 odac and nothing happens with the speaker, are the RCA-OUTPUTS not on the amplifier then?

I had a closer look at the thing. Sounds you went with the RCA out option instead of TRS out. And that's apparently a line out when the device is off, but a line in when it's on? The volume knob on the O2 should only affect the headphone jack as a result, i.e. this cannot be used as a preamp. So definitely start with the speakers set to a low volume.
The speakers have two inputs, but from what I'm reading it simply mixes them together, there's no way to switch to one or the other, and no auto detect. Kinda nice.

So

1. Turn off O2
2. Turn speaker volume all the way down
3. Turn your computer volume all the way down
4. Hook up left and right speakers
5. Connect O2 RCA out to speaker RCA in
6. Connect speakers to a power source
7. Turn on speakers
8. Send music to O2
9. Slowly increase the computer volume and speaker volume step by step, in alternating order or simultaneously.
10. Music should become audible before you reach max volume. If not, double check your setup.
11. Lower the speaker volume all the way
12. Increase the computer volume all the way
13. Slowly increase the speaker volume to a comfortable level

That should be the safest route.

And when you want to listen to headphones, it's probably best to turn off the speakers first, then turn on the O2, since you're apparently then connecting an input to an input.

 

[Kossamu]

I had a closer look at the thing. Sounds you went with the RCA out option instead of TRS out. And that's apparently a line out when the device is off, but a line in when it's on? The volume knob on the O2 should only affect the headphone jack as a result, i.e. this cannot be used as a preamp. So definitely start with the speakers set to a low volume.
The speakers have two inputs, but from what I'm reading it simply mixes them together, there's no way to switch to one or the other, and no auto detect. Kinda nice.

So

1. Turn off O2
2. Turn speaker volume all the way down
3. Turn your computer volume all the way down
4. Hook up left and right speakers
5. Connect O2 RCA out to speaker RCA in
6. Connect speakers to a power source
7. Turn on speakers
8. Send music to O2
9. Slowly increase the computer volume and speaker volume step by step, in alternating order or simultaneously.
10. Music should become audible before you reach max volume. If not, double check your setup.
11. Lower the speaker volume all the way
12. Increase the computer volume all the way
13. Slowly increase the speaker volume to a comfortable level

That should be the safest route.

And when you want to listen to headphones, it's probably best to turn off the speakers first, then turn on the O2, since you're apparently then connecting an input to an input.

Ok, thanks I will do that. This is however how the thing looks on the rear side. It's an amplifier and dac built together. https://imgur.com/a/66EIZcP

 

[Kossamu]

I had a closer look at the thing. Sounds you went with the RCA out option instead of TRS out. And that's apparently a line out when the device is off, but a line in when it's on? The volume knob on the O2 should only affect the headphone jack as a result, i.e. this cannot be used as a preamp. So definitely start with the speakers set to a low volume.
The speakers have two inputs, but from what I'm reading it simply mixes them together, there's no way to switch to one or the other, and no auto detect. Kinda nice.

So

1. Turn off O2
2. Turn speaker volume all the way down
3. Turn your computer volume all the way down
4. Hook up left and right speakers
5. Connect O2 RCA out to speaker RCA in
6. Connect speakers to a power source
7. Turn on speakers
8. Send music to O2
9. Slowly increase the computer volume and speaker volume step by step, in alternating order or simultaneously.
10. Music should become audible before you reach max volume. If not, double check your setup.
11. Lower the speaker volume all the way
12. Increase the computer volume all the way
13. Slowly increase the speaker volume to a comfortable level

That should be the safest route.

And when you want to listen to headphones, it's probably best to turn off the speakers first, then turn on the O2, since you're apparently then connecting an input to an input.

I tried that but sadly it didn't work. Luckily though the company I bought the speakers from sent the wrong ones so I got the bluetooth ones so I can at least listen to them. I also tried turning the odac+amp on but that didn't change anything. I haven't tried using the 3.5 as I am a little worries I will break them or something. I don't know how sturdy these speakers are. Thanks anyway for the time.

 

[Kossamu]

Does anyone else have anu suggestions?