Does XLR need to be a consideration?

[Fahad]

Have been contemplating (not made up my mind though) adding a DAC between my CD Player + Streamer and my amplifier. Going through the research. I have never used XLR interconnects in my system before and was wondering whether a DAC having an XLR output needs to be an important consideration or not. Some highly regarded DACs (Hugo qutest is an example here) may not have XLR output.

 

[Integralista]

Have been contemplating (not made up my mind though) adding a DAC between my CD Player + Streamer and my amplifier. Going through the research. I have never used XLR interconnects in my system before and was wondering whether a DAC having an XLR output needs to be an important consideration or not. Some highly regarded DACs (Hugo qutest is an example here) may not have XLR output.

Hi, from my experience, if you do not very long interconnect cables lite 5 maters and longer, RCA cables is just OK. On very high quality components XLR makes difference, but components must be designed as symmetrical trought completely. And this is often not the case with cheaper components. BR.

 

[Gray]

.....was wondering whether a DAC having an XLR output needs to be an important consideration or not.

Not really.

Some highly regarded DACs (Hugo qutest is an example here) may not have XLR output.

Choose your DAC.
If it's got XLR - and you've got the ability to make use of it - use it.

 

[ToppingSMSL]

You don't really need XLR. I use them with one of my DACs and RCA with another. You're not going to hear a difference, that's for sure. XLR will reduce noise but noise that should be inaudible to start with.

 

[daytona600]

XLR standard on all expensive hifi for decades , not standard on Budget component
Fully balanced system via XLR will make a Big difference

 

[ToppingSMSL]

XLR standard on all expensive hifi for decades , not standard on Budget component
Fully balanced system via XLR will make a Big difference

No it wont.

 

[manicm]

No it wont.

If you're using true balanced source components, with similar amplification then you actually should use the balanced connections.

 

[daytona600]

XLR will make a Big difference
No it wont.

Why are they used in Every , Tv station , Radio station , Recording studio , Festival , Concerts , Cinema &, Film Sets for decades

 

[Al ears]

XLR will make a Big difference
No it wont.

Why are they used in Every , Tv station , Radio station , Recording studio , Festival , Concerts , Cinema &, Film Sets for decades

You might also ask why some hifi manufacturers bother to fit them?

 

[Dave_]

Why are they used in Every , Tv station , Radio station , Recording studio , Festival , Concerts , Cinema &, Film Sets for decades

Because it's the correct application for them.

They're not necessary in a domestic hifi setup with the short cable lengths used

 

[Dave_]

You might also ask why some hifi manufacturers bother to fit them?

Why do they bother with expensive cables, and pointless devices like reclockers, "audiophile" ethernet switches and PSU upgrades etc...

 

[Friesiansam]

Why do they bother with expensive cables, and pointless devices like reclockers, "audiophile" ethernet switches and PSU upgrades etc...

“Audiophile” ethernet anything, is just a ripoff.

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

There was some personal stuff in a post here that I have deleted. No more please - I think we've had enough of it and rules will be strictly applied from now on.

 

[manicm]

If a source component is truly balanced, coupled with a balanced dual mono amplifier, then 99% of them will have been designed to use their balanced/XLR connections.

One example is the Bluesound Node Icon. This has a dual DAC balanced design from the get go, and some reviews have suggested that it sounds best from XLR.

 

[Dave_]

some reviews have suggested that it sounds best from XLR.

That would be subjective reviews....

 

[daytona600]

Excellent quality Pro Audio balanced cables & XLR connectors are produced in staggering volumes and cost a fraction of Audiofool RCA cables

DIY handy with a cable stripper 3metre Balanced top grade cables for £20 quid compare to shop bought £500 RCA cables


Sources Digital most high grade CD players / DACs are balanced
Sources Analogue all MC cartridges are balanced as standard
makes sense to use balanced cables

 

[Vincent Kars]

XLR is the standard in the pro-world for decades.
Most important is that it is balanced. You have the signal (hot), the inverse of the signal (cold) and the signal ground.
Most of the time the source itself is single ended (of course) so a balun is used to create the balanced signal. At the receiver there is a differential amp. Basically the cold in flipped again so all disturbances picked up during transmission, are flipped as well. Compare hot and (former) cold and remove the differences. This is what made XLR the standard in the pro-world, common noise rejection.
Additionally it has a much higher level (4.4 V or higher) allowing to drive long lines.
Using signal ground might even prevent ground loops.

At the home you likely don't have tons of gear emitting EMI, RFI as common in studios nor (unfortunately) is your living room so big you need to drive long cables. Here a well shielded RCA does a good job.

Sometimes ground loop issues (audio interface into computer and powered speakers) can be cured by using XLR.

Personal experience.
As faith would have it, for decades I had a 5m interconnect (RCA) between my pre- and power-amp. Never had any issue. Then I bought a DAC with both XLR and RCA out and 2 mono blocks with XLR input only. This allowed me the fool around a bit. XLR to XLR vs RCA to RCA /XLR adapter. So 5 m balanced vs 5m single ended. Couldn't hear any difference.
Decided to stick to the balanced connection. I know it is overkill but that is what I like.

 

[ToppingSMSL]

XLR will make a Big difference
No it wont.

Why are they used in Every , Tv station , Radio station , Recording studio , Festival , Concerts , Cinema &, Film Sets for decades

They are good for eliminating interference over long runs in studios where there are a lot of sources of interference. In you home - you just wont hear any difference in distortion.

Have been used as a selling point in high end consumer audio for decades. Obviously they don't do any harm and if you measure distortion levels they do reduce it a small amount but you just aren't going to hear that level of difference in your house unless you have some interference source. And if you do - sort that out.

Just because high end products have a feature doesnt automatically mean it affects which you hear. A good example of that is I2S input in high end DACs. No benefit, could make measured performance worse. BUT - it sounds good to be using an external clock, doesnt it? 😀