Balanced usage with Opus 21

Tgyeti,

Are you currently using the RCA/variable output, or the fixed DIN output? According to RA, the fixed DIN output is better and you could keep your same amplifiers. Just purchase an unbalanced interconnect cable that is DIN on one end and RCA on the other end. I think RA recommends the cable from DNM, but others will work too.

I own the Opus 21, but I have not tried either the DIN or balanced outputs as I use mine connected directly to my power amps using the variable volume control.

Enjoy,

TIC

I am an Opus owner and have been since its release (including the upgrades). I too love this player... sounds great and is a very versitile unit. I have used RCA, balanced and DIN outputs in various configurations. I agree with the owners and reviewers concerning the DIN output being the clearest and best path to the music. I DID NOT however notice a difference between the RCA and balanced outputs in terms of quality of the sound (I mostly have used the balance outs directly to a Krell FPB 300c amp).
About a year ago I inserted a preamp (AES AE-3 DJH Signature from Upscale Audio) and would recommend that you add a preamp instead of changing out the amp. I don't think you would gain as much by simply going from RCA's to balanced outputs. A good preamp allows you to use the DIN output and gives depth to the music and more weight to the bottom end. Without the preamp the Opus 21 had a great soundstage width but lacked depth in that soundstage. Just my experience and two cents.

The balanced outs will definitely give you better performance than the RCAs, although how much you'll notice will depend on how easily you hear changes in your system. It is not a "OMG, it takes it to a whole new level" kind of difference, but a subtle improvement in clarity.

Whether the DIN output will be better than the balanced outs will depend on the quality of the cable you can find with a DIN option. I compared an Audience AU24 DIN-RCA cable (into a Neutrik RCA-XLR adaptor into my balanced preamp) against Au24 XLR interconnects and found the performance of the DIN output to be better. Changing that to an Audience Conductor DIN-RCA cable, the Au24 XLR inteconnects performed better.