Please clear up my confusion re: meaning of "balanced" !

I am confused about this term. I've been told it can refer to either a type of topology or simply a type of connection.

If this is true, can I connect a DAC (Aqua La Voce S2) with balanced XLR outputs to a headphone amp with balanced topology (Schiit Jotuheim 2) ?

Here are links to photos of back panels of both components:

DAC:

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649395475-aqua-la-voce-s2-dac/images/1710537/

Headphone Amp:

https://www.schiit.com/products/jotunheim-3

stuartk07-24-2021 5:29pm

nekoaudio Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 489 posts 07-24-2021 at 06:36pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete The Wikipedia article on balanced audio probably covers everything you're looking for. Clicking through some of the links in the article will give you more details.
russ69 Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 3,467 posts 07-24-2021 at 07:02pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete The non-technical answer in audio is that a balanced connector (type XLR) uses one of the three legs for a ground wire. The only thing to know is some audio designs are a fully "balanced" ground and some are not. A fully balanced ground design lets you run long runs with adding noise to the system and are often at a higher level than the unbalanced connectors (RCA type).
stuartk OP Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 2,692 posts 07-24-2021 at 07:18pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Thanks for your responses. @russ69: Yes-- this is the distinction that concerns me-- connecting a "fully balanced" component to one that merely has XLR connectors. I read the Wikipedia article, but am still unclear regarding my question about connecting the two components I mentioned. I guess I will have to ask the manufacturers directly.