Using a DAP as a DAC for a desktop amp

[GustavMahler]

Is it possible? I have an iBasso DX90 and i can connect the line out to the amp. The question is do desktop amps have such an analog input, Or only the analog input of the two seperate cables for right and left?
Is the kind of connection i am talking about between the line out of the DAP and the input of the AMP called aux?
I am new to amps and dacs, I've been using DAPs until now.
Thanks

 

[PurpleAngel]

  Is it possible? I have an iBasso DX90 and i can connect the line out to the amp. The question is do desktop amps have such an analog input, Or only the analog input of the two separate cables for right and left?
Is the kind of connection I am talking about between the line out of the DAP and the input of the AMP called aux?
I am new to amps and DACs, I've been using DAPs until now.
Thanks

 
An RCA (red/white) analog input on a amplifier and a analog 3.5mm (1/8") stereo jack on an amplifier provide the same function (right and left channel input into the amplifier).
The only real function difference is the RCA uses separate ground channels and the 3.5mm uses a shared ground channel.
The RCAs would be considered a more robust connection, over the 3.5mm.
Otherwise they would normally carry the same signal.
So just get a 3.5mm stereo plug to dual RCA (red/white) cable and connect the iBasso's line-output feature to any amplifier you like.

 

[GustavMahler]

Thanks. Are there not high end desktop amps with a 3.5 TRS input? So i'll have to get an adapter, And it'll be the same as connecting a DAC with a native RCA output?
Also will i really experience any difference in using a desktop DAC with a ES9018K2M chip, Rather than using the DX90 with the same chip?
I am really confused about what dac/amp i should get for my PS1000e. I know it is very sensitive, But may i still benefit from a high end desktop setup rather than using my DX90?
Thanks

 

[GustavMahler]

Also is the RCA output considered balanced? Since it has seperate ground i guess it is. So is there a difference between XLR and RCA?
Until now all the connectors i know are XLR, RCA and TRS. Are there any more popular connectors?
Thanks!

 

[PurpleAngel]

  Thanks. Are there not high end desktop amps with a 3.5 TRS input? So i'll have to get an adapter, And it'll be the same as connecting a DAC with a native RCA output?
Also will i really experience any difference in using a desktop DAC with a ES9018K2M chip, Rather than using the DX90 with the same chip?
I am really confused about what dac/amp i should get for my PS1000e. I know it is very sensitive, But may i still benefit from a high end desktop setup rather than using my DX90?
Thanks

 
The 3.5mm plug is more frail and more prone to breaking, then the RCAs.
Guess you could say the RCAs are more "professional" and a little more desirable then the 3.5mm.
I would assume the 3.5mm jack is a little cheaper (a few pennies) to use, in the manufacturing of the DAC.
If you already have the iBasso DX90 and it can function as a DAC for you, why buy another DAC?
 
I believe the iBasso DX90 uses dual ES9018K2M DAC chips, so can't see a reason for buying another DAC that also uses the same ES9018 DAC chip.
The DX90 should easy drive the PS1000e.
Can't see any reason not to just plug the PS1000e straight into the DX90?

 

[GustavMahler]

Is RCA a balanced connection?
 
I thought that maybe desktop setups are of more quality than a DAP.
I would like to try a good tube amp, Don't you think it might sound better than the DX90? Of course it's subjective, I know, But still.. 
Why do so many people that have high sensitivity headphones don't use a DAP, But use a high end and a very expensive desktop system?

 

[PurpleAngel]

  Also is the RCA output considered balanced? Since it has separate ground i guess it is. So is there a difference between XLR and RCA?
Until now all the connectors i know are XLR, RCA and TRS. Are there any more popular connectors?
Thanks!

Unless otherwise labeled, a normal and more common connection between a source and it's destination would be unbalanced.
 
From my understanding (and I'm a very amateur audio hobbyist) , a balanced connection has two positive channels and a single ground channel.
(one of the benefits of a balanced connection is you can use longer then normal cables, between source and speaker)
An unbalanced connection is one positive channel and one ground channel (per speaker)
So an balanced connection going into one (self-powered) speaker would consist of two positive channels and one ground.
An XLR or 1/4" stereo plug (TRS) could carry a balanced connection into one (self-powered) speaker.
An unbalanced connection going into a self-powered speaker would normally be a 1/4" mono plug (TS) or single RCA jack
A 1/4" stereo plug will have three channels, a 1/4" mono plug (and single RCA) will have two channels.

 

[PurpleAngel]

  Is RCA a balanced connection?
 
I thought that maybe desktop setups are of more quality than a DAP.
I would like to try a good tube amp, Don't you think it might sound better than the DX90? Of course it's subjective, I know, But still.. 
Why do so many people that have high sensitivity headphones don't use a DAP, But use a high end and a very expensive desktop system?

 
I'm fairly sure a single RCA connection can not carry a "balanced" signal.
A tube amplifier can add colorful changes in the audio, that some like.
I think a lot more people should use DAPs, but it's their choice.

 

[GustavMahler]

Thanks. So there is not a real advantage by using RCA over TRS, Right?

 

[PurpleAngel]

  Thanks. So there is not a real advantage by using RCA over TRS, Right?

 
For an un-balanced audio connection, there is no audio quality advantage with RCA vs TRS.