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How To Connect a DAC?

I have a NODE 3.  The two RCA Analog Out connectors go to my R and L powered/active speakers.  The Analog Sub Out RCA has a splitter, with each side going to a powered/active sub.  This is a mono signal and connects to the R side of each sub.

I’m looking to buy a separate DAC.  Most have XLR R and L Analog Outs, and RCA R and L Analog Outs.  I’m wondering how I would connect my speakers and subs.  My best guess is using 2 RCA splitters, I would connect one splitter to the R Analog Out to the R speaker and Sub 1 RCA R input.  The other splitter would connect the L Analog Out to the L speaker and Sub 2 L input.

Any thoughts?

 

 

 

 

128x128tcotruvo
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soix
9,628 posts
 

Keep and use the Node 3. Trying to add a separate DAC is a futile endeavor at best. For real sound improvement buy a better pair of speakers. Don't pay attention to the audiophools who spend thousands on DAC's and streamers!

@jasonbourne52 You’re patently out of your mind.  What DAC and streamer are you using that supposedly can’t be improved upon?

audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
3,815 posts
 
you you add a dac then you would only need to conectado your active speakers to the dac and a coaxial digital cable from the node to your dac
holmz's avatar
holmz
2,328 posts
 


Keep and use the Node 3. Trying to add a separate DAC is a futile endeavor at best. For real sound improvement buy a better pair of speakers. Don't pay attention to the audiophools who spend thousands on DAC's and streamers!

@jasonbourne52 You’re patently out of your mind.  What DAC and streamer are you using that supposedly can’t be improved upon?

^that^ Might be a bit premature.

We probably would want to know what active speakers are being used before we would know if the Streamer/DAC is the long pole in the tent or not.

And budget comes into play here. If we are comparing some $30k DAC to a $300 DAC then that assumes that we are also not playing the $30k DAC through $300 speakers.

While I would generally opt for the better speakers over a DAC… maybe headphones could help the OP make an assessment on the DACs if there are places that have them locally?
(I believe that it should be easier to carry the Node3 to the local DAC shop… and that removes the room and the speakers from the assessment.)

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