Hello friends, Could anyone explain me the difference between BAL-XLR and XLR/RCA outport port. When I choose XLR/RCA, the sound is much louder than with the BAL-XLR setting. Thanks!
BAL-XLR is XLR ONLY. XLR/RCA outputs both XLR and RCA. Voltage is different between XLR and RCA output. See the specs of A6/A8 for info.
Thanks for your answer. As I use a XLR output only, It's better to choose the BAL-XLR output? Should it sound the same, in the same volume level if I choose BAL-XLR or XLR/RCA?
Yes choose the XLR only output, you don't need RCA output at the same time. Because XLR is a balanced differential connection, it has better common mode noise rejection, but this will only be significant over long cable runs. It should sound the same as the XLR in the dual output mode. The output voltage of XLR is always twice that of RCA because of the subtraction of phase and antiphase signals, but any amplifier you plug them into knows this and compensates for it. So you will hear no volume difference between an RCA and an XLR input fed the same output from your DAC.
I mean for integrated or pre amplifiers feeding speakers, headphone amplifiers are a different matter.
Could you please elaborate little more on this? Meaning, how the XLR only output could affect the integrated or a power amplifier in comparison to XLR/RCA output . Thanks.
Sorry I was not clear enough. The XLR output should be identical regardless of whether the other analog output RCA is enabled or not. This assumes that the output stages in your streamer are well buffered, there is no reason to think that either the A6 or A8 have any problems in this regard. An example of DACs that can have such issues are some of the Denafrips R2R DACs, where they have little or no output stages and connect almost raw to the output terminals. Users are advised by Denafrips to refrain from simultaneously connecting XLR and RCA. The second point I made concerns the voltage outputs of XLR and RCA and is quite separate really. Twice the voltage span, yet when you connect either type to an integrated amplifier or a preamplifier, you will hear no volume difference on your connected room speakers. So if I feed my preamp with both RCA and XLR feeds from the same source, then when I hop between these two input channels, there will be no apparent volume change. The manufacturers treat these inputs so that they are equivalent, the user doesn't want there to be a jarring output change. XLR is still advised because of its superior noise rejection as I indicated in my post. However headphone amplifiers and their transducers behave differently from speakers. Normal speakers are fed by a pair of cables each from the final amp stage, but some headphone amplifiers can feed each headphone transducer by a balanced connection, 3 wires rather than 2. These are in phase (hot), 180 degrees antiphase (cold) and a ground. So each transducer can get the full x2 voltage span of a balanced connection by subtracting the hot and cold and be louder if the connecting circuitry permits it, there is never this opportunity with conventional speakers connected essentially in a single ended fashion.
There is no mention of the Analog-RCA output in the manual but when using this instead of XLR/RCA the output is much lower. What is "Analog-RCA' designed for and what should I be using to connect a power amp when using the A8 as a preamp?
The output values are in ‘specs’ 2,1 /4,2v and there is a brief explanation on page 27 of the manual. I would have thought whichever connections your power amp uses. http://music.eversolo.com/dmp/instruction/EVERSOLO-DMP-A8-User-Manual-v1.0.pdf Keith
No there's not, where in the manual does it describe "RCA-Analogue"? You are talking about XLR/RCA which is not the same thing as the Analog-RCA output option on the device. PS don't RTFM me when I clearly said it's not mentioned in the manual.
It's just writing. RCA IS analog. As is XLR. You use what your amp supports, with priority to XLR as explained in the last rows of the manual page Keith has kindly presented you. If you do not know the basics, at least be respectful to whom tries to explain.
Pretty sure I know the basics What is the difference between "Analog-RCA" and "XLR/RCA" in unbalanced terms then? If there is no difference why have the output interface in the device menu and no mention of it in the manual. If I choose the 'Analog-RCA' output the level is half that of choosing the "XLR/RCA" output and using the RCA sockets, this implies that when the XLR/RCA is selected both the balanced and unbalanced outputs are at 4.2V or the Analog-RCA is outputting at 1.05V when that is selected. I think this is pretty clear to read and understand, not sure why you are finding it so hard.
Analog RCA has only the single-ended RCAs active Analog XLR has only the balanced XLRs active XLR/RCA has bot active at the same time (you could hook an amp for speakers at the XLRs and a subwoofer at the RCA(s), or vice-versa) The fact that you say RCAs have double their voltage if you select XLR/RCA is, if it really is so, a hardware mistake. Balanced (XLRs in this case) do have double the voltage due to their construction; RCAs OTOH should remain at half, as they take just one-half of the XLR wiring... very weird. I'd check again if I were you. RCAs should max out at 2.1, and XLRs at 4.2 for the Eversolo AFAICR.
I was just using arbitrary figures to highlight that one interface is much quieter/lower than the other. I've already tested it multiple times, I have a few amps I've tried with Pass Labs Aleph 2 -- both balanced XLR & unbalanced RCA input (and yes the XLR hots match the A8 config) Audio Innovations 2nd monos - unbalanced RCA inputs, are very sensitive amps as they were designed for passive pre. First Watt F4 - unbalanced RCA inputs - amps have no voltage gain so again very noticeable difference Type 45 valve amp - unbalanced RCA inputs All amps display the same when using RCA and switching the output on the A8 between "Analog-RCA" and "XLR/RCA" in that one is much quieter than the other.
There is no audible difference between the XLR and XLR+RCA outputs. The signal running through the XLR connection is balanced in both cases.
Ah so the output when in XLR/RCA mode is the same balanced signal across both the RCA and XLR sockets i.e 4V
