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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 8 responses by thegreenman

thegreenman OP
44 posts
 
hi @gregm 

Oh I see. Thanks for your reply! I'm still new in this hobby.

Thanks!
Regards
Ben
thegreenman OP
44 posts
 
@ghdprentice 

thanks for your reply! yeah thinking of going SET from my current amp haha. like you I completely believe in tubes! love their magical/musical kind of presentation that imparts a soul into music.

using a primaluna EL34 x8 tubes, means 70W. thinking of trying out 845 SETs that output 25-30W. the 50-60W ones are more expensive so trying to think out of the box!

use a denafrips terminator dac with kef ref 5 speakers. how abt you? :)

Regards
Ben
thegreenman OP
44 posts
 
@dweller 

Hi

I dont think so. From what I understand the dac must be able to be fully balanced to produce a proper 4v output, and the integrated amp must be fully balanced as well to accept the 4v output. If you connect a 4v input to a 2v only rca input...it wouldnt work well from what I understand.

Please correct me if im wrong!

Regards
Ben
thegreenman OP
44 posts
 
@jjss49 

Thanks!
thegreenman OP
44 posts
 
@twoleftears 

ooh thanks! i always thought the gain is related to the power output! I guess you are right its different! was thinking if the power output is how much power you need to amplify the gain, and if the gain is higher, the final sound pressure for the fixed power amplification would be more.

I better go read up!

thegreenman OP
44 posts
 
@cakyol
Great explaination! thanks and appreciate it! now I understand 1 step more!
thegreenman OP
44 posts
 
@hshifi
thanks for the enthusiastic input! :)) you sure are enjoying your system! :))

thegreenman OP
44 posts
 
@ghdprentice 

thanks for the reply! yeah agreed about the 2 step up approach! that's why I'm saving up for a amp upgrade! sadly they are so expensive!

haha will check out your audio reserach! my PL is an integrated with 8 tubes, so outputs 70W. but I'm looking at SET stuff like 845s. 300b have too low wattage, and maybe I will need 4x 845 tubes
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