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Balanced usage with Opus 21

Hello All,
I've had my Opus 21 now for a couple months and love it to death. I'm NOT using the balanced outs as my MFa308cr only has RCA's. Could an Opus 21 user advise me as to what difference I'll hear if I get an amp with balanced inputs (yes, I know there is going to be a difference regardless because it will be a different amp) versus using RCA's?

Mucho thanks,
Tgyeti .... just Tgyeti
tgyeti
distortion
571 posts
 
I believe that the Balanced outs use 2 DACs per channel and the RCA outs use only 1 DAC per channel. Much like the CD-55.

One could surmise that 4 is better than 2 ...but that isnt always so! Having said that, I prefer the balanced outs over the RCAs on the Opus.
brrgrr
163 posts
 
Philnyc,
I use mine balanced as well, and am curious why it will give me better sound than the RCA setup. Is it strictly a noise issue , or are there other reasons?
Thanks for the info,
CARL
fatcataudio
107 posts
 
If running direct to an amp it is far better to use the XLRs simply because of the higher voltage output. The difference between the RCA and XLR is more dynamic, and easier drive.
Ag insider logo xs@2x
philnyc
162 posts
 
Distortion...I don't believe that to be true. I'm sure the Opus 21 uses all 4 DACs (2 per channel) regardless of which outputs you use.

Brrgrr...I would guess that it's a function of the Opus 21 being fully balanced in its design.
distortion
571 posts
 
Phil, you're right. I studied my papers closely and it appears, that unlike many similar balanced devices, the Opus sums both DACs for the unbalanced output. My apologies and good call.
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