[jjacq]

A bit of a backstory, I recently purchased a set of KRK rokit 6's and now I'm on the hunt to look for a reasonably priced DAC for them. Sadly, it seems like most of the USB DACs have RCA out and I wanted to use balanced connections because I had issues with RCA with my current DAC now. I see several $200-ish DACs that I'd like to pair up with them but they seem to be RCA out, if I get an XLR to RCA or TRS to RCA connection, will I be losing significant audio quality?

Thanks!

 

[Speedskater]

XLR or TRS to RCA connections, does that make the cables unbalanced?
 
Yes it becomes an unbalanced interconnect system.
 
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will I be losing significant audio quality?
 
Probably not, at least for 1 or 2 meter long interconnects. The virtue of long balanced interconnects, is resistance to hum, noise and interference.

 

[jjacq]

  XLR or TRS to RCA connections, does that make the cables unbalanced?
 
Yes it becomes an unbalanced interconnect system.
 
************************************************************
will I be losing significant audio quality?
 
Probably not, at least for 1 or 2 meter long interconnects. The virtue of long balanced interconnects, is resistance to hum, noise and interference.

Thanks for the reply, would it be a noticeable change if I get a DAC with RCA out and connect speakers with an RCA to TRS cable? I've read on reviews that unbalanced vs balanced on these speakers is like night and day. So I'm wondering if that's going to be an issue if I use an unbalanced output as well.

 

[Speedskater]

Reviewers say the strangest things.
 
If every thing is operating normally (and no defective designs or broken parts) the differences will be so small, that you can't hear them.
 
Note that there is a correct way to make a XLR/TRS to RCA adapter.
 
See RANE or Jensen Transformers.
 

Sound System Interconnection

Rane Technical Staff

RaneNote 110 written 1985; last revised 7/11

1. Cause and prevention of ground loops
2. Interfacing balanced and unbalanced
3. Proper pin connections and wiring
4. Chassis ground vs. signal ground
5. Ground lift switches

 
http://www.rane.com/note110.html
 
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Jensen AN-003
INTERCONNECTION OF BALANCED AND UNBALANCED EQUIPMENT
by Bill Whitlock
 
http://www.jensen-transformers.com/an/an003.pdf