DAC as preamp w/subwoofer

Al, Thanks so much for your comments. It sounds like there are a couple different ways to go at this. It sounds like I will have to do some experimenting to see what works best. In the worst case if I don't get it set up in a way that Works well I can stick with the preamp and upgrade thatat some point down the line.

Sruffle,

I run my W4S DAC-2 in the way that you wish to. I send the unbalanced outs to my tube integrated amp, and use a Cardas balanced > unbalanced adaptor from each of the DAC-2's balanced outs into left and right subs. It works like a charm. Importantly, the Cardas adapters are wired to float Pin 3. Failing to do so can cause a short in the DAC.

My understanding from W4S is that the balanced and unbalanced outs share an output, so running them simultaneously as I do is the same thing as running a Y adapter. Audioquest makes a decent-quality Y adapter that in theory should provide the same performance as the Cardas adapter setup.

Good posts by Eric and Cymbop, with which I agree 100%. Given that the DAC2's rca output is common with the positive polarity output signal on xlr pin 2, using an xlr-to-rca adapter for one of the two rca runs, and connecting the other run to the rca output, would indeed be electrically equivalent to using a y-adapter on the rca output.

In that situation, I second the caution about making sure the adapter leaves xlr pin 3 unconnected, as the Cardas adapters apparently do. Most xlr-to-rca adapters connect pin 3 to pin 1 (ground), which would short the DAC2's output signal on pin 3 to ground. A lot of equipment can tolerate that, but some cannot. Why pin 3 is commonly shorted to ground on xlr-female to rca adapters, which would be used on xlr outputs, has always been beyond me. (It is desirable, though, and often may be a necessity, on xlr-male to rca adapters, that would be used on xlr inputs).

Regards,
-- Al

Great ideas. I had not thought of trying to use the power amplifier. it sounds like I could pull this off. I am amazed at the willingness of all to help out. Thanks again.