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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
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
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- 26 posts total
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. |
@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 |
- 26 posts total