Does using XLR cables (double voltage output) mean I can use lower powered amplifiers?


Hi

Does using XLR cables (at 4V output from most dacs) vs RCA cables (with 2V output) mean that I have doubled the gain hence I only need half the power from amplifiers?

Just as a background I am looking for tube amplifers which typically are less powerful compared to solid state amplifiers. So I was wondering if using XLR connection rather than RCA mean that I can venture into lower powered amplifiers?

Or does the voltage input from the dac not matter/affect the power that a amplifier needs to drive the speakers?

Thanks!

Regards
Ben
thegreenman

Showing 1 response by speakermaster

If you useĀ  balanced connection on a low powered amplifier you will run out of power very quickly due to the fact that the preamplifier also usually has 6 decibels of extra gain also meaning that the low powered amp will run out o power usually before ten o clock on the volume knob.