If it was a long way from the DAC to the pre, then XLR and a transform would be best.
But if it has RCAs, then just chuck those on. If there are no hums, then lower nothing by 10dB is still nothing.
XLR Female to RCA Plug Adapter
Looking for direct experience and/or a technical explanation on using an XLR Female to a male RCA Plug Adapter, if it’s a good idea or not, and what adapters are most transparent and do the least damage to the signal.
According to the manufacturer of my DAC, using its balanced output is much preferred to using RCA. My pre only has single-ended inputs, so if I used a good adapter plug would it negate all the benefits of using the DAC’s XLR out or, put another way, would I just be better off using an RCA interconnect and forgo the adapter? Thanks for any thoughts.
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I bought a pair of new cables to avoid putting another adapter/connection in-line. XLR to Locking RCA conectors, If you have a nice cable, and you or a friend knows how, you can change one end to XLR, this or another brand, skipping the adapter joint
I did NOT hear any difference. I do like that XLR are positive lock connectors, so messing about will not disturb those connections. I changed my other interconnects to locking rcas |
@soix ^^ This. Don't bother with the XLR output since your preamp can't take advantage of it. The RCA connection will work just fine. The adapter will simple convert the balanced output to single ended and if pin 1 is shorted to pin3, you could possibly damage the DAC (so usually this connection isn't made with many adapters). If it works that way you're only listening to single-ended anyway. So just use the RCA connection. |
- 17 posts total