2. digital
  3. 164589-149900

XLR or RCA for my new DAC

Hi All,

So I ordered the Schiit Audio Bifrost (thanks to the good folks here turning me on to Schiit) which is arriving today (I originally ordered the Modius but the BO date got pushed back and I didn't want to wait). This is my very first DAC and I plan to use it strictly for my Pioneer cd player which is an ancient PD-F908, thus turning it into a transport. Should I go XLR or RCA connecting it to my processor which is a Rotel RSP-1582? 

What do you Kool Kats with DAC experience think?

Thank you all in advance...
kingbr
skypunk's avatar
skypunk
499 posts
 
XLR!!
hemtt3345
16 posts
 
I use XLR with my Schiit Freya Plus preamp (DAC --> Schiit via XLR).  I tried RCA but XLR yields a higher gain and that was the deciding factor for me.   
skypunk's avatar
skypunk
499 posts
 
XLR!!
georgeab
95 posts
 
I use XLR as my preamp is balanced and I get more gain. If single ended, I would use RCA.
audioman58's avatar
audioman58
4,141 posts
 
It only matters if the Xlr are truly balanced from input to output 
on the dac as well as the preamp , I have been  involved with audio over 40 years ,on most ,if you pop the cover the rca, and xlr are connected together before the output  in the chain on over 90% of all units out there , it’s a nice selling point showing both rca,and xlr.
for if it’s not true balanced that extra ground on the xlr just connects  into the 2 wire outputs ,True Balanced will have transformers for inputs and outputs which is very rare .I have had balanced  cables and the rca same brand had better imaging, the xlr had a bit bigger soundstage a hair quieter depending on the design. It’s not a straight forward conclusion.
More to discover