Unbalanced DAC to Balanced Amp?

[Phoenix864]

I've got a SMSL SU-1 DAC (unbalanced, RCA out) and a Linsoul MT-604 amp (balanced, XLR in), currently connected using RCA to XLR cables. However, after poking around I've seen some people recommend against mixing balanced and unbalanced devices. I'd appreciate some perspective on how valid that is and if I'd see benefit from either returning the SU-1 and spending extra on a balanced DAC, or returning the MT-604 and swapping to a unbalanced amp. How much am I losing by taking an unablanced signal from the DAC and feeding it into a balanced amp?

 

[smallcaps]

I would commit to a balanced ecosystem from the start, if you have a chance. As you upgrade to higher-end gear, you'll eventually find that most high-end gear offers balanced I/O.

As an alternative, you could get something that converts between single ended and balanced and vise versa. The Schiit Lokius offers this, along with EQ, of course.

 

[dunring]

If you sold it and got an SMSL M300SE which are used on Amazon currently for $90 with warranty, then you'd be set for very little difference in price. With 4 volts out it would be maybe 4db louder, or possibly stay in low gain longer for best amplifier performance. I've had those a few times, and they have terrific performance. They added DAC filters with the latest firmware that comes installed on these new ones. You could sell yours for $60 maybe and be out just 30 beans for the upgrade.

https://www.amazon.com/S-M-S-L-Upgraded-Headphone-Amplifier-Bluetooth/dp/B0C4DFNCSV/

 

[Whazzzup]

are you saying your dac doesn't have xlr out? and yes if so, you need a se amp. my tt is se with xlr out, bingo balanced amps work

 

[Phoenix864]

I would commit to a balanced ecosystem from the start, if you have a chance. As you upgrade to higher-end gear, you'll eventually find that most high-end gear offers balanced I/O.

As an alternative, you could get something that converts between single ended and balanced and vise versa. The Schiit Lokius offers this, along with EQ, of course.

Makes sense, I'd definitely prefer to have all my equipment in the same ecosystem from the get-go. The only thing pushing me away was the price jump between balanced and non-balanced DACs.

If you sold it and got an SMSL M300SE which are used on Amazon currently for $90 with warranty, then you'd be set for very little difference in price. With 4 volts out it would be maybe 4db louder, or possibly stay in low gain longer for best amplifier performance. I've had those a few times, and they have terrific performance. They added DAC filters with the latest firmware that comes installed on these new ones. You could sell yours for $60 maybe and be out just 30 beans for the upgrade.

https://www.amazon.com/S-M-S-L-Upgraded-Headphone-Amplifier-Bluetooth/dp/B0C4DFNCSV/

Thanks for the recommendation, that DAC/amp combo looks great. I'm still within the return window for the gear I initially picked up, so I could swap to the M300SE without much trouble. I picked up the MT-604 tube amp on a prime day deal for 50% off - compared to the amp in the M300SE, do you think I'd be losing much? I'm not too familiar with the ranking of amps outside of if they provide enough power. Will the tube amp provide a better 'sound' compared to what I'm guessing is a solid state amp in the M300SE?

are you saying your dac doesn't have xlr out? and yes if so, you need a se amp. my tt is se with xlr out, bingo balanced amps work

Yeah, no XLR out, only RCA. Could you elaborate on why a SE amp is needed? I'm not familiar with them and am just wondering why it would be preferable over my tube amp.

 

[Whazzzup]

Makes sense, I'd definitely prefer to have all my equipment in the same ecosystem from the get-go. The only thing pushing me away was the price jump between balanced and non-balanced DACs.


Thanks for the recommendation, that DAC/amp combo looks great. I'm still within the return window for the gear I initially picked up, so I could swap to the M300SE without much trouble. I picked up the MT-604 tube amp on a prime day deal for 50% off - compared to the amp in the M300SE, do you think I'd be losing much? I'm not too familiar with the ranking of amps outside of if they provide enough power. Will the tube amp provide a better 'sound' compared to what I'm guessing is a solid state amp in the M300SE?


Yeah, no XLR out, only RCA. Could you elaborate on why a SE amp is needed? I'm not familiar with them and am just wondering why it would be preferable over my tube amp.

I’m just a consumer but as I understand it single ended dacs, amps, hp cables to hp are rca type connection. These are just design choices so if a dac which can be se dac can offer xlr out through a anologue conversion component internally. If the dac doesn’t then it’s only option is se rca out to a se rca in amp and out to a se cabled hp.
The advantage of balanced out, other than the cool concept that left right channel and power will never touch, is twice the power. Otherwise all things are equal. But you got to work with what you got. You got a se dac with no xlr balanced out.

Otherwise your dac may have an amp in it, then other than more weight, imagery you don’t need any external amp.

 

[tesarpa]

IMHO, taking SE output to XLR input on amplifier is not a problem at all. If it sounds good to you, no need to dig for a problem there. Yes, true XLR output offers few more dB, but usually you have more than enough gain, so you don’t need it.