Balanced vs unbalanced output and adaptors

[Mjj]

I have an unbalanced system and have just bought a DAC (Primare DAC30) which reviews much better when balanced outputs are used.

 

My question is: within the DAC might the improvements be due to BOTH balanced circuitry AND implementation? If so might an xlr/rca converter reap some (obviously not all) benefits if I run balanced out to my unbalanced pre-amp input.

 

is it safe to do this??

 

[GregWormald]

A balanced to unbalanced interconnect should be no problem, although whether the improvements would be kept from the full unbalanced connection I can't say.

[xlr8or]

You really need the availability of true balanced circuitry at both ends to reap the full rewards of a balanced connection. What you are proposing is a floating balanced connection into an RCA connection using XLR to RCA connectors. Is it safe to do - yes. Will the sound quality be better than a standard RCA to RCA connection probably not as the amp end can only receive RCA in. By the time you factor in the cost of the XLR to RCA adapters it probably makes more sense to save your money and get better quality RCA ICs.

[Mjj]

That’s a good point. It all adds up.

[georgehifi]

On 25/10/2022 at 12:22 PM, Mjj said:

I have an unbalanced system and have just bought a DAC (Primare DAC30) which reviews much better when balanced outputs are used.

 

@Mjj

As you can see it uses a CS4398 D/A converter chip which has differential (balanced) outputs on left and right, always better to go with what the dac chip put out instead of converting it to something else.

 

Cheers George

Edited October 26, 2022 by georgehifi

[Mjj]

Thanks everyone for your input.

 

closing this off, I will be enjoying the unbalanced outs until or if a time arises that I can go for balanced amplification.

 

furthermore, I’m sure Primare has done their best to get good results from both outputs and if a simple “ fix” as I proposed were possible they would have done it internally.