Would using a balanced dac with Topping PA3S improve the sound?

[jmwant]

Just as the title suggests, I've been using the SMSl Sanskrit V2 with the Topping PA3S power amp. Besides RCA inputs, the PA3S also has balanced TRS inputs. Would using a balanced dac like the SMSL D-6 improve the SQ? IM quite satisfied with the sk10v2's performance. But the added Bluetooth connectivity and 4V balanced output seems like good features for the price.

 

[pbui44]

According to these product pages:

https://www.amazon.com/Topping-Amplifier-MA120702-Balanced-Single/dp/B09GXC7MLG

https://apos.audio/products/topping-pa3s-fully-balanced-class-d-amplifier

The gain on the SE-input is 25.2 db and the gain on the XLR-input is 19.5 db, so you could say that the SE would actually sound better than the XLR from the extra gain in decibels, but you could also state in the form of genres otherwise. Namely, SE could sound better with pop/rock/rap/indie/hip-hop/new-age/r&b genres, whereas XLR could sound better with classical/jazz/acoustical/live-stage/ensembal/orchestral genres. That, and sources with a balanced output need a balanced input, so that nothing is potentially damaged.

 

[jmwant]

According to these product pages:

https://www.amazon.com/Topping-Amplifier-MA120702-Balanced-Single/dp/B09GXC7MLG

https://apos.audio/products/topping-pa3s-fully-balanced-class-d-amplifier

The gain on the SE-input is 25.2 db and the gain on the XLR-input is 19.5 db, so you could say that the SE would actually sound better than the XLR from the extra gain in decibels, but you could also state in the form of genres otherwise. Namely, SE could sound better with pop/rock/rap/indie/hip-hop/new-age/r&b genres, whereas XLR could sound better with classical/jazz/acoustical/live-stage/ensembal/orchestral genres. That, and sources with a balanced output need a balanced input, so that nothing is potentially damaged.

Thanks for the input. So by using single ended, I'm not sacrificing sound quality or volume?

 

[chesebert]

Yes, if you get rid of that Topping

 

[jmwant]

Yes, if you get rid of that Topping

Umm yeah, planning to get something from NAD. To be fair the PA3s powers my Kefs perfectly fine in my mid-small room.

 

[megabigeye]

The gain for single-ended and balanced are different to compensate for the inherent difference in voltage between the two inputs. Input voltage on single-ended is 2V, input voltage on balanced is 4V; 2x voltage equates to +6dB. They lowered the gain on balanced so that it's approximately the same volume as single-ended.

They should sound the same unless you've got really long (like, tens of meters) interconnects or are otherwise picking up audible noise through single-ended.

By the way, so far as your headphones and ears are concerned, increasing or decreasing gain/voltage is the same thing as moving the volume knob up or down.