DACmagic 2 - How many balanced outputs needed?

[admin_exported]

Hi,

I've just purchased a 2nd hand Cambridge Audio DACmagic 2 and was wondering whether I should use both of the XLR outputs going into my Marantz PM6003 amp or only one.

Here are the inputs/outputs of the DACmagic: http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?um=1&hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-USfficial&biw=1280&bih=660&tbm=isch&tbnid=ys9m_VBn_eUAsM:&imgrefurl=http://tms.plala.jp/audio_2004.html&docid=T3LQS1DRDWXDjM&imgurl=http://tms.plala.jp/jpeg/audio/camb_dacmagic2_03.jpg&w=450&h=300&ei=tup7UP--BMLP0QWg-YHQBQ&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=163&vpy=94&dur=155&hovh=183&hovw=275&tx=99&ty=102&sig=108570212476157187128&page=1&tbnh=115&tbnw=161&start=0&ndsp=16&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0,i:66

And here are the inputs/outputs of the PM6003: http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?um=1&hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&sa=N&rls=org.mozilla:en-USfficial&biw=1280&bih=660&tbm=isch&tbnid=jBvt0XUesyim_M:&imgrefurl=http://www.whathifi.com/forum/hi-fi/help-needed-how-do-i-exactly-bi-wire-this-setup-marantz-pm6003-chord-carnival-silverscreen&docid=XlI9QIzKkqp8cM&imgurl=http://www.cyberselect.co.uk/photos/marantz_PM6003_rear.gif&w=750&h=218&ei=3Op7UIH1E7HI0AXn8YHABA&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=126&vpy=215&dur=1337&hovh=121&hovw=417&tx=250&ty=78&sig=108570212476157187128&page=1&tbnh=70&tbnw=228&start=0&ndsp=15&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0,i:83

Would I need a 2 x XLR > 2 x RCA cable such as this one: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/370304291986?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

Or an XLR > 2 x RCA cable such as this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Custom-Length-Splitter-Adapter-Y-Lead-Neutrik-Female-XLR-to-2-RCA-Sommer-Cable-/160764711398?pt=UK_MusicalInstr_Amplifiers_RL&var=&hash=item256e52d1e6

Or perhaps even two of the above XLR > 2 x RCA cables?

Thanks so much for any help!

Rob

 

[Andrew Everard]

You need to use both XLR outputs: each one connects just one channel. But realistically if your amp doesn't have balanced inputs, you lose the advantage of using the balanced outs on the DM2, either by using either balanced-to-phono cables, or similar adapters. You may as well just use conventional phono-to-phono interconnects.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks so much for the help. So a simple interconnect such as this (http://www.whathifi.com/review/chord-company-crimsonplus) running from the line output would the way forward?

 

[Andrew Everard]

Yup, the Chord cable would be fine.

Basically the benefit of balanced connections their greater rejection of interference, due to the way the signal is sent and the design of the connector/cable, but this is really only relevant for long runs of cable or in interference-prone locations – it's why microphone cables used on stage, for example, are balanced, as are other pro-use hook-ups, and why users with separate power amplifiers for each speaker sometimes park each amp near its speaker, and run balanced cables from preamp to power amps.

In a typical short run from DAC to amp, and especially where the amp in question doesn't have balanced inputs, there's no real benefit in using the balanced outs.