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Digital Coax to XLR adapters?

Hi. I'm a newbie audiophile, so apologies if my question is naive.

Recently made some purchases on a "starter kit":
- Totem Acoustics Forest
- Music Hall 25.3 DAC
- NAD 375BEE integrated amp

The weak link in my system now comprises my sources: Sony CD carousel, Philips CR player/recorder, and Samsung DVD that can also play CDs.

My question: The digital outputs of the Philips CD and the Samsung DVD are both Coax. The DAC has only one digital coax in slot. But it has an unused XLR slot.

Is there such a thing as a Digital Coax-to-XLR converter? I have found XLR-to-RCA converters online, but I think those are for analog signals. Don't I need a special digital converter? Does one exist, and if so, can anyone recommend a good source?

Responses most appreciated!
128x128dquarasr
nglazer
846 posts
 
You shoul ask the folks at Music Direct, who I think sell the adaptors. or ask Cardas; they sell very good RCA/XLR adaptors. I don't see why the would not work. Just passing a signal, but what do I know. Just a dumb lawyer who thinks digital means pertaining to fingers or toes.

Neal
swanny76109
382 posts
 
The input on your DAC is AES/EBU which is a balanced XLR connection, but intended for a digital signal at 110 ohms. Your coax input on your DAC and output on your CD player is a coax S/PDIF input, which is a 75 ohm digital signal. So no, you can't use a connector to adapt one to the other. They are very different connections and use different standards and protocols. You need to go coax to coax using a digital RCA cable (NOT an analog RCA cable). Perhaps there is a digital coax splitter you could find, that would allow you to switch between inputs, but I don't know much about that. Google is your friend. Or maybe someone else can chime in.
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drubin
3,274 posts
 
Actually, what you need is 75 ohm to 110 ohm impedance transformer. Get one of these: Canare BCJ-XP-TRB 75 Ohm to 110 Ohm Digital Audio Impedance Transformer. For the money, it's worth a try. Note that it wants a BNC connection on the coax in side, so you may need an adapter for that.
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