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XLR-RCA: Adapters or Custom Cable?

Greetings all!
I have a new Lavry DAC which will arrive shortly and I need to find a way to go from the balanced outs on the DAC to the unbalanced inputs on my integrated amp. There are of course two ways of doing this, using an XLR to RCA adapter such as the ones that Cardas makes or use a cable that has been built to go from XLR to RCA. In a singular cable this is a fairly rare item and although they exist I would expect that the resale would be difficult. Regardless of that point, I am wondering if I am safe using the adapters or if there will be real sonic benefits to using a single XLR-RCA cable. DIY would be a possibility although I would like to have something at least close to comparable to the Zen Silver Ref II cables that I am using in the rest of my system. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated...
audiojedi
herman
2,259 posts
 
The unit will not be damaged, the manual shows you how to set it up. Even if it didn't there is no way to damage the output of a DAC if it is done properly. Anything can be damaged if you don't.

Your position is the silly one. How can one listen to the difference and be enlightened if the only way to use the DAC in the system is with adapters?

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stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,475 posts
 
If you have to use adapters, you have the wrong component. I once blew up a Rowland amp with an adapter because of a non=standard ground termination with the xlr, Rowland interface. By all means...try it...
audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
>>If you have to use adapters, you have the wrong component<<

Totally untrue.

Often times, convenience dictates the use of adaptors. I use them in a couple systems here and the components are fine thank you.

Furthermore your previous assertion that "adaptors always ruin the sound" is bogus as well.
herman
2,259 posts
 
It is curious that Lavry would detail how to configure the DAC for SE use if doing so will blow it up. Perhaps a clever plot to generate extra revenue by getting people to blow up their DACs and then not covering it under warranty?

It is also impossible to "blow up" an amp by grounding an input. If it were then using a passive volume control would blow it up everytime you turned the volume to zero because that does ground the input.

.
johngp's avatar
johngp
226 posts
 
AudioJedi,

Not trying to "toot my own horn" here but there is a set of XLR-RCA cables I built a while ago up for sale right here on Audiogon for a very reasonable price, I believe $95. Do a search for KCI and you'll find them. Hope this helps ya.

Sincerely,
John
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