Hi Guys,
I've been having a search for a DAC kit with balanced XLR outputs, but haven't come up with many results. It's to be paired up with my Thule Audio IA60B.
I'd rather not spend a silly money, and would prefer a kit. Can anyone point me in the right direction. Thanks
Andy
I've been having a search for a DAC kit with balanced XLR outputs, but haven't come up with many results. It's to be paired up with my Thule Audio IA60B.
I'd rather not spend a silly money, and would prefer a kit. Can anyone point me in the right direction. Thanks
Andy
Hi Andy
What are your sources ? SPDIF, USB ?
Budget Balanced outputs are supported by WM874x DAC chip (Vout DAC).
Regards
Phil (korben69)
What are your sources ? SPDIF, USB ?
Budget Balanced outputs are supported by WM874x DAC chip (Vout DAC).
Regards
Phil (korben69)
Look at the Opus DAC from Twisted Pear Audio, based on the Wolfson chip. I have one, nice sounding DAC.
Each modern DAC will give you the opportunity to have a balanced output. All the rest is taste and budget....
DAC with balanced outputs
Since you asked:
K & K Audio - Lundahl Transformers, audio DIY kits and more
Dave
Since you asked:
K & K Audio - Lundahl Transformers, audio DIY kits and more
Dave
Hi
This is an old thread but maybe someone will pick up my question.
I am planning to build a DAC with PreAmp.
However most good quality boards offer only unbalanced outputs but I want to be able to switch between balanced and unbalanced outputs.
I found a few board on AliExpress that took my interest.
I would like to know to what extent they might negatively influence SQ.
Yuan Jing Audio - Unbalanced to Balanced Line Converter - $18.90
Aliexpress.com : Buy ACS1086SA ACS108 6SA Package:TO 92 IC NEW from Reliable package opener suppliers on goldy0903 | Alibaba Group
Assembled unbalanced turn balanced / RCA turn XLR / BTL board CL 175 HL-in Other Consumer Electronics from Consumer Electronics on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group
Hope someone will post some opinion.
Joris
This is an old thread but maybe someone will pick up my question.
I am planning to build a DAC with PreAmp.
However most good quality boards offer only unbalanced outputs but I want to be able to switch between balanced and unbalanced outputs.
I found a few board on AliExpress that took my interest.
I would like to know to what extent they might negatively influence SQ.
Yuan Jing Audio - Unbalanced to Balanced Line Converter - $18.90
Aliexpress.com : Buy ACS1086SA ACS108 6SA Package:TO 92 IC NEW from Reliable package opener suppliers on goldy0903 | Alibaba Group
Assembled unbalanced turn balanced / RCA turn XLR / BTL board CL 175 HL-in Other Consumer Electronics from Consumer Electronics on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group
Hope someone will post some opinion.
Joris
Speaking from the cheap seats 🙂
I am hunting for something that is a DSP/DAC and has XLR balanced outs and 4 channels. I am already a MiniDSP user (2x4) and am considering their stuff. Obviously not "high end" but the 2x4 has worked ok for years (but only RCA outs and not hot enough signal for my uses). Closest to my goals is their MinDSP Balanced + MiniDIGI. < $200 + shipping + power supply is hard to beat. I was going to pay extra for a "DSP in a box" but the bare board MiniDIGI would negate the effort 🙄
For the rest of you, please "have at" the latest 1024-bit, ten billion petaHertz, Dilithium crystal based, with PCB traces made from genuine non-ROHS-compliant Lead (Pb) smuggled from an unnamed African country 🙂
More $$$ gets you poorer, but does it really give you better sound quality?
I am hunting for something that is a DSP/DAC and has XLR balanced outs and 4 channels. I am already a MiniDSP user (2x4) and am considering their stuff. Obviously not "high end" but the 2x4 has worked ok for years (but only RCA outs and not hot enough signal for my uses). Closest to my goals is their MinDSP Balanced + MiniDIGI. < $200 + shipping + power supply is hard to beat. I was going to pay extra for a "DSP in a box" but the bare board MiniDIGI would negate the effort 🙄
For the rest of you, please "have at" the latest 1024-bit, ten billion petaHertz, Dilithium crystal based, with PCB traces made from genuine non-ROHS-compliant Lead (Pb) smuggled from an unnamed African country 🙂
More $$$ gets you poorer, but does it really give you better sound quality?
My 2c worth:
Balanced done properly is worthwhile.
Analyse your audio chain with the aim of eliminating flawed "processing".
I personally resist DSP or other "treatments".
I started (my audio education) with a collection of power amps, average pre-amps, Yamaha NS1000M studio monitors, & Sennheiser HD800 headphones, driven by a digital server.
I have 2 TwistedPear DACs (BII & older B32, both excellent for stereo).
Now I drive the NS1000Ms with PL XA100 amps from the BII, with no EQ or DSP.
Yes, it has flaws, but it's good; it's relatively-unprocessed.
Less in the audio chain is better.
The brain adjusts (to the lack of DSP or EQ).
But my ears hear & hate distortion & EQ/DSP (especially when comparing headphones to speakers).
So, my advice is to progressively upgrade your system to reveal the original music signal (without processing artifacts or distortion). TP make good DAC kits.
NP makes good amps (& shares his designs with us).
Get some good headphones to use as a benchmark & go from there.
Enjoy!
Balanced done properly is worthwhile.
Analyse your audio chain with the aim of eliminating flawed "processing".
I personally resist DSP or other "treatments".
I started (my audio education) with a collection of power amps, average pre-amps, Yamaha NS1000M studio monitors, & Sennheiser HD800 headphones, driven by a digital server.
I have 2 TwistedPear DACs (BII & older B32, both excellent for stereo).
Now I drive the NS1000Ms with PL XA100 amps from the BII, with no EQ or DSP.
Yes, it has flaws, but it's good; it's relatively-unprocessed.
Less in the audio chain is better.
The brain adjusts (to the lack of DSP or EQ).
But my ears hear & hate distortion & EQ/DSP (especially when comparing headphones to speakers).
So, my advice is to progressively upgrade your system to reveal the original music signal (without processing artifacts or distortion). TP make good DAC kits.
NP makes good amps (& shares his designs with us).
Get some good headphones to use as a benchmark & go from there.
Enjoy!
Thank you for the advice, but for several years my speaker of choice has been Bose 901 and my electronics Behringer. You can draw your own conclusions about quality :-D
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