Does using XLR cables (double voltage output) mean I can use lower powered amplifiers?


Hi

Does using XLR cables (at 4V output from most dacs) vs RCA cables (with 2V output) mean that I have doubled the gain hence I only need half the power from amplifiers?

Just as a background I am looking for tube amplifers which typically are less powerful compared to solid state amplifiers. So I was wondering if using XLR connection rather than RCA mean that I can venture into lower powered amplifiers?

Or does the voltage input from the dac not matter/affect the power that a amplifier needs to drive the speakers?

Thanks!

Regards
Ben
thegreenman
Hello,
Please match your amp to your speakers regardless of your sources. It should be a slight benefit to have XLR as a volume increase. Put it this way. Regardless to whatever you input into your iPhone it’s not going to power your speakers. I just don’t want you to damage your speakers. I have been having fun demoing the Hegel V10 phono preamp through using XLR to the preamp. I am still happy I have 100 watts A/B to push the speakers. It make the music sound live. The headroom is incredible. For $1500 MM/MC XLR phono stage it’s really good. I am also demoing the Sutherland Little LOCO phono stage. Due to the input being current driven and 0 input voltage you can hook up two MC turntables at the same time. Imagine; two tables and one phono stage. Stereo only, no mono unless you buy the mono version. I actually called Sutherland and received this information last night. 
If you reside in the Chicagoland area you should try them out. https://holmaudio.com/
You should call and ask about their hours or the amount of time you can have something out on demo. I just like that they let you try before you buy. No more buyers remorse. Plus, If you can’t demo stuff how do you know how it sounds in your system and even more important your room. Sorry for being long winded. I just don’t want you to damage your equipment. 
Hello thegreenman!  All it means is than you can turn the volume knob on your amp or pre amp down a bit. The output power of your amp is not affected. It could be that you will have less hum/noise in the signal because of the balanced connection. Enjoy the music!
MC, you should change your avatar to a little knitted black and white bear with pins stuck in it…

A Panda would be China. The creature you are trying to evoke is Xi, aka Winnie the Pooh. Get your insults straight please, or don't bother.

@ghdprentice 

thanks for the reply! yeah agreed about the 2 step up approach! that's why I'm saving up for a amp upgrade! sadly they are so expensive!

haha will check out your audio reserach! my PL is an integrated with 8 tubes, so outputs 70W. but I'm looking at SET stuff like 845s. 300b have too low wattage, and maybe I will need 4x 845 tubes
@twoleftears 

ooh thanks! i always thought the gain is related to the power output! I guess you are right its different! was thinking if the power output is how much power you need to amplify the gain, and if the gain is higher, the final sound pressure for the fixed power amplification would be more.

I better go read up!