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Balanced DAC -> Single-Ended Amp

Discussion in 'Digital: DACs, USB converters, decrapifiers' started by Luckbad, Nov 11, 2016.

  1. Luckbad

    Luckbad Traded in a unicorn for a Corolla

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    What's the least expensive good route to go from a balanced DAC to a single-ended amplifier?

    I'd love to use the Holo Spring to its full potential in balanced mode if possible, but into the RCA inputs on the ampsandsound Mogwai.

    What's the best way to do this?

    Jensen Transformer? Radial something or other?

    I seem to remember @atomicbob might have done this with one of his Gungnir Multibit setups.
     
    Luckbad, Nov 11, 2016
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  2. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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    Jensen PC-2XR. Keep an eye out for used units. Jotun as a preamp works in a pinch too.
     
    Hands, Nov 11, 2016
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  3. Malabargold

    Malabargold Flipper

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    I've also ran into this problem using a balanced power amp with ZDS as a pre amp and Gungnir Multibit as the dac. I assumed it would be best/easiest to use the se inputs on Gungnir Multibit because they are summed anyway and use xlr to rca cables with the balanced power amp.

    Specifically these that have pins 1 and 3 of the XLR connector wired to the RCA ground and pin 2 of the XLR connected to the RCA tip: http://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=4777

    Would an external transformer box make that much of a difference?
     
    Malabargold, Nov 11, 2016
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  4. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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    On second thought, for the Spring, you might be best served just using the SE out. With deeper comparisons between that and the Jensen box, there's something slightly off with the Jensen in the way. It's a little smoother and cleaner sounding, but at the expense of losing some micro dynamic swings and sense of immediacy. But the strangest thing is how it affects the tone. Something sounds...missing. It's like things aren't as cohesively mixed. The bass also sounds less clean and defined, which I could be imagining, or could be transformers adding low end distortion (see data sheet).
     
    Hands, Nov 12, 2016
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  5. Luckbad

    Luckbad Traded in a unicorn for a Corolla

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    Interesting. Well, it saves me some money.
     
    Luckbad, Nov 12, 2016
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  6. Thenewerguy009

    Thenewerguy009 Friend

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    Ever thought of asking if you can send the Mogwai back to have XLR inputs custom installed?
    I know there are sites that do this.

    https://www.upgradecompany.com/ is one of them. Not sure about the price though.
     
    Thenewerguy009, Nov 12, 2016
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  7. Malabargold

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    That wouldn't be any different than an external transformer, right?
     
    Last edited: Nov 12, 2016
    Malabargold, Nov 12, 2016
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  8. Thenewerguy009

    Thenewerguy009 Friend

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    Technically the XLR would be wired directly to the internal transformer of the amp.
    If the transformer inside of the amp is of better quality than the external transformer, then you should not hear problems like with Hands Jensen box.

    Some of the high end transformers alone go for thousands. So one in a high end amp they can easily beat the Jensen Box.

    That lines up with what I read about power plants, regenerators & power conditioners. If the transformer inside of them is inferior to the transformer inside your amp/dac, it will kill the micro dynamics.

    At least that's what I think so.
     
    Thenewerguy009, Nov 12, 2016
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