Am I harming my amp?

paqua123

The DAC output is 5.8 volts ... with the XLR . RCA DAC output is 2.9 volts.  Am I losing any quality using the RCA.

You're losing 6 dB of s/n, which may not matter in your system.

No. Misplaced worry.

Misplaced worry in that the balanced connection will over drive my amp? Or that the 5.8-2.9volt doesnt matter sound quality wise?  

Thanks

Inputs can usually handle some voltage overload without damage, especially if that overload is < 20V.  It's the output levels that can overload the amplifier, and speakers. 

In this case it sounds like your DAC is 0.2V less than the maximum input, so all should be well.  Assuming you input 6.5 V, the signal would clip (distort), but so long as your integrated's volume control is down that will sound bad, but not damage anything.

No worries,

As long as you don’t try for concert hall levels, (think Black Sabbath) you will be just fine. The same applies for the RCA input.

All the best.

Thanks very much! Whew!

@paqua123 I have an Audio Holo May KTE and had the same concerns when I bought it. I've used it directly into my RAAL Requisite VM-1a headphone amp with balanced connections and am also using it in a Holo Audio Serene KTE preamp the same way with zero problems. Everything sounds amazing! no overloads at all.

What im using is a HifiRose RS250a streamer into a kitsune holoaudio spring 3 DAC via USB then to the Luxman L-507z via balanced cables..then out to Klipsch Cornwall IVs. So far so good !

Thanks willywonka thats great to hear!

BTW does anyone know if Luxman uses differential signals on their balanced inputs.