F-XLR to M-RCA recommendations

I think BJC and Anticables will both entertain this custom cable if you call them. It shouldn't be hard for them to accommodate.

If not, also look into the BL-1 Series II from DH Labs. You can call Greg directly from their website and he will be able to make them for you. Tell him Juan sent you.

In full disclosure am one of his dealers, but honestly that may be the best money spent on a cable in your price range.

I've hit up Moon-Audio for suff like this before. An XLR (female) to RCA (female) adaptor should do the trick - plug into DAC, then you can use your choice or RCA cables. Or I guess you could use an XLR cable run - then you'd need XLR (female) to RCA (male). Moon's "house" brand adapators are decent. They also sell Cardas adaptors that are quite nice. 

They can also make patch cables in this configuration, if you have a short run or just want to run directly without adaptors. I've used Blue Dragon (their basic copper cable) for this before; it's good, but you can go for Silver Dragon if you want silver wire. 

Or adapters like this.     I prefer them over Cardas.

Just spoke with a gentleman from blue Jean cable, will do what you’re asking for. hopefully don’t get in too much trouble For doing this, but here’s his number (206)284-2924.

also ask them about their iconoclast stuff for audiophile friends. 

I would highly recommend that you don't buy anything until you can confirm that whatever type of adaptors you buy won't cause problems or even damage your system. Typically, XLR jacks and cables are used on balanced equipment and rca on single ended gear. These 2 modes of operation are not compatible. A balanced connection requires 3 conductors. 2 hots (++) and a ground (-). Single ended connections require 2 conductors. One hot and one ground. You're going 3 into 2. You need to do something with the extra signal conductor. Most adaptors shunt the number 2 pin to ground. When you combine one of the hots from the balanced side with the ground, you create a short circuit if you plug the adaptor into a component that's outputting a balanced signal. Its like disconnecting your speaker cables and touching them together while music is playing. 

There are different ways a balanced connection can be wired. You can use an adaptor in some cases, but you must make sure its OK before you do it. If your balanced component floats the ground, you should be able to use the adaptor. If not, you're going to get a short circuit. Check your owners manual for the balanced component and see if they give you instructions on how to make it work for unbalanced operation. If the info isn't in the manual, call the manufacturer and ask them if its OK to do it.

Assuming its OK to use an adaptor, the thing to remember is when you mix the components, you end up with end up with a single ended connection. Use a regular pair of rca cables, along with some xlr to rca adaptors. Purist and Cardas both make high quality adaptors. I would use either one. 

If the equipment with XLR also has RCA outs, you're better off just using the RCA's on both.  Once you use an adapter, you've already lost any (potential) advantage of using the XLR termination, which only exists with XLR terminations on both ends (and only if the XLR is properly implemented).  Any time you add more connectors (adapter=2) you've introduced another potential signal loss/degradation.

Thank you all for your suggestions! Definitely food for thought on compatibility, etc. Fwiw, the Laiv uDac doesn't have RCA outs and it was suggested to use XLR to RCA cables by one of the posters on Laiv's comment section - that was my only frame of reference. Appreciate the deeper insight on what specs to check on.

I've had very good experience with BJC, Anti & DH Labs - damn, now I have choices to make!

You might look at a product like:

https://aphex.com/products/124b

I've been using them for various applications for decades.

Zu audio made me a XLR to RCA cable. It works great.

@snowdog57, thank you for this post, the Laiv uDac is exactly the next dac I wanted to try out and was wondering how to connect to my Micrzotl MZ3 that only has rca jacks?

@mulveling, my man! Thanks for the tip on those Cardas f-xlr to f-rca adapters.

@fatdaddy2, I know exactly what you mean about potential signal loss/degradation as I never wanted to use an adapter for a vacuum tube because I was afraid of the excess heat the heaters/tubes may generate. But my rca interconnectors for the Laiv uDac are going to be the 聖 Hijiri HCI-R10 rca interconnect that I already have and I like their sound. Plus having an adapter is such a short run, I thought I might as well give it a try.

Veritas has a pair of those up on Audiomart. Special order pair that someone backed out on. 

@steakster, how do you compare the performance/cost between the Purist Audio Design adapters you tried and the Cardas adapters?

@tyray

For XLR/RCA adapters, I own both this Purist set and this Cardas set.   I experimented for about a month of alternating the two sets – allowing time for each to settle-in.  The Purist adapter was more neutral, more solving.  The Cardas adapter was more warm, less resolving.   This was in my system.  YMMV.

Of course, cost/performance ratio is subjective.  The Cardas set was around $140 per pair.  The Purist set was $300 per pair.    Worth it to me for better SQ.    But I did not compare the Purist to this other more expensive Cardas set.  They weren’t around when I did the comparison.   

IME, avoiding adapters is the best approach.

- - -

Also, I tried these much cheaper Neutrik XLR/RCA adapters.  They affected the SQ very poorly – way less resolving, almost muted.  They took the timbre and sparkle away.   I took one apart.  The internal connecting wires were ridiculously thin and very low quality.

- - -

052rc is on target.   When using an XLR/RCA adapter, confirm that the pin configuration is correct for your particular unit.

@steakster , thanks for the thoughtful answer/explanation. If I do decide to get the Liav µDAC I’d run it through my Eversolo DMP-A8 XLR input connectors.

Or get the Holo Audio Cyan2 DAC with female rca jacks. (And sell my Eversolo DMP8?)

And my third option would be to use the Eversolo DMP-A8 and not upgrade at all and save some money. (For now...)

This is from the Laiv Harmony µDAC website:

Galvanic Isolation for Enhanced Audio Purity.

In high-fidelity digital audio systems, preserving signal integrity is paramount, and galvanic isolation between digital and analog components plays a crucial role in achieving this. By electrically decoupling the digital and analog sections, galvanic isolation eliminates unwanted ground loops and minimizes noise transmission, ensuring a cleaner, interference-free signal path. This results in lower jitter, reduced distortion, and improved overall clarity in audio reproduction.

 

This is from : AI Overview

The LAIV Harmony µDAC’s galvanic isolation is achieved through electrically decoupling the digital and analog sections, eliminating ground loops and minimizing noise transmission for a cleaner, interference-free signal path.

Here’s a more detailed explanation:

• Why Galvanic Isolation is Important:

  In high-fidelity audio systems, preserving signal integrity is crucial. Galvanic isolation ensures that the digital and analog circuits are electrically separated, preventing unwanted noise and interference from traveling between them.

• How it Works:

  By isolating the digital and analog sections, the LAIV Harmony µDAC eliminates ground loops, which can introduce noise and hum into the audio signal.

• Benefits:

  Galvanic isolation leads to lower jitter, reduced distortion, and improved overall audio clarity and purity.

Ok, now I’m even more confused. Does this mean because of the Galvanic Isolation between the digital and analog components it’s ok then to use f-xlr to f-rca adapters on the Laiv Harmony µDAC?

Or does using an adapter on the Laiv Harmony µDAC negate/eliminate the positive responses from the galvanic isolation from the Laiv Harmony µDAC?

If you're talking about analog outputs galvanic isolation wouldn't come into play at all it's really about what sounds better adapters or a custom cable.

@jond,

This is from the Laiv Harmony µDAC website and it clearly states analog circuits also?

LAIV Harmony µDAC: Galvanic isolation The µDAC’s digital and analog circuits are galvanically isolated to avoid ground loops and guarantee a clean, interference-free path for the sound signal.

Keep hope alive!

And please keep in mind, I have very limited knowledge on how things work electronically in audio circuitry. So please forgive my ignorance if my questions sound soo - well, ignorant...

tyray that means they are isolated from each other that's all.

Contact Pine Tree Audio, they make excellent cables at affordable costs; and probably have no problem making a custom cable

@jond ​​​​@steakster,

It took me awhile to figure it out but what I gleaned from you guys and the internet is galvanic isolation is only circuit board based, with nothing to do with external connectors. Much appreciated fellas.

Yeah, the adapter’s pin configuration is going to be extremely important to get right. Sorry I didn’t mention that at first! Here’s what Cardas says about their adaptors on their site:

The standard for female XLR to female RCA adapters is for pins 1 & 3 not to be shorted. All other adaptor configurations (male XLR to female RCA, etc.) have pins 1 & 3 shorted unless otherwise requested. Most equipment prefers (or requires) adaptors with the standard wiring. Some equipment requires that pins 1 & 3 not be shorted.

The female XLR to female RCA is what you need here. And Cardas is saying that pin 3 (the inverted "-" signal in balanced drive) is NOT grounded (pin 1) - so the "-" leg of your source output will be left unconnected (floating). I believe this is the safer choice, and the correct choice for DACs with directly coupled active output stages, which is most of them. It’s exactly as safe as running your DAC with nothing connected to the outputs (safe).

Now if your DAC were to have transformer coupled outputs, which the Laiv apparently does NOT (inter-stage coupling doesn’t matter here), then the standard Cardas adaptor wiring wouldn’t work. I don’t think it would be dangerous, but it just wouldn’t pass a signal. I believe the PS Audio DirectStream DACs uses transformer coupled outputs.

If you used an adaptor that shorted pins 1 & 3 (unlike the Cardas config above), then that could possibly pose danger to some DACs (dissipating too much power into a dead short), but this pin config would be the correct choice for PS Audio’s DirectStream.

In short - stock Cardas config for female XLR to female RCA looks like the right choice here. They’re catering to high-end audio enthusiasts like us. But in general, I think most adaptors and patch cables like this would be for pro market. In THAT case, there would be a higher incidence of transformer-coupled XLR outputs, and so they may take the "short pins 1 and 3" approach.

Another alternative is to get a specific Jensen ISO-MAX box that can safely convert XLR to RCA using transformers, for any source and downstream components. I have one for RCA -> XLR conversions and it's quite handy :)

** I am not an electrical engineer

** I am not an electrical engineer

Lol!

Me neither Mike, but thanks to reading so many posts of yours and others here over the years, I do know the proper procedures to follow because of ground shorting and they are:

To contact both the dac and preamp manufactures to see what their engineering team has to say and provide them with the product data link of Cardas, Jenson, Purist Audio Design, the custom cable builder or whatever after market company the exact product data link.

And also provide Cardas, Jenson, Purist Audio Design, the custom cable builder or whatever dac and preamp manufacture the exact dac and preamp manufactures product data link so they can have access to their specs too.

I think these are the most important things to do, if one were to move forward with this so you don’t damage your rig.

@OP - there is zero point in using balanced connectors unless the connection is balanced to balanced. Balanced circuits are designed to cancel common mode noise, but to do this they only work if the source and receiving component have balanced inputs. Even then, depending on the quality of the balancing circuitry, a single ended connection may be better.+1 to fatdaddy2 for the earlier post on this which bears repeating.

a single ended connection may be better.+1 to fatdaddy2 for the earlier post on this which bears repeating.

Thanks, I'm listening @yoyoyaya and @fatdaddy2

@tyray, thanks. Just on your earlier post about galvanic isolation - that generally involves using a transformer in, generally, a DAC, to isolate the DAC from incoming noise on the USB input.

However, transformers are often used in balanced circuitry - especially in pro audio - so that can make things a bit confusing.

@OP - there is zero point in using balanced connectors unless the connection is balanced to balanced. Balanced circuits are designed to cancel common mode noise, but to do this they only work if the source and receiving component have balanced inputs. Even then, depending on the quality of the balancing circuitry, a single ended connection may be better.+1 to fatdaddy2 for the earlier post on this which bears repeating.

@yoyoyaya Agree with all this, but in @tyray’s case he’s considering a new DAC with only balanced XLR outputs, no RCA outs. And I assume his downstream component / amp has only RCA inputs. It’s certainly a less common use case to interface like this, but it happens.

So looking at the Laiv (I was searching for "microDAC" when it’s written µDAC lol), it says "discrete class A output buffer". Yeah, you want the Cardas XLR (female) to RCA (female) adapator with its stock configuration (pin 3 open). OR use a Jensen ISO Max box for transformer based XLR to RCA conversion.

With the adaptors you’ll have half of the Laiv’s output stage (negative phase for L and R) idling (with class A it's still producing full heat at idle, but safe), but it will work fine this way. With the ISO Max you’d have the extra box / interconnect and "might" hear the effect of the transformer - but in my experience with ISO Max going the other way (RCA to XLR), they’re pretty damn good!

@mulveling, fair point - I missed that. That being the case, I think tyray would be better looking at a different DAC. If not, I second your recommendation of using a transformer to convert balanced to single ended. Still, its an awful lot of faffing around for a cheap DAC.

I love how gauging the efficacy of the cables on Amazon came down to them costing too little.  Because yes, you guarantee yourself a much better product and experience just by finding something that costs more.  

Anyway, a DAC with only balanced outputs should be connected to balanced inputs.  If nothing has been purchased yet, I wouldn't be looking at adapters, I would be looking at different gear. 

Still, it’s an awful lot of faffing around for a cheap DAC.

I actually was looking at a more expensive DAC. It was the Laiv Harmony DAC for $2700, but right now and in the near future that’s just to much money for me to allocate for a DAC.

So to my surprise, the logrhythm directed me to this Steve Huff pre-view of the Liav Harmony µDAC, a smaller version of the Laiv Harmony DAC and it pique my interest.

The new $994 R2R DAC from LAIV is making music in the system today. It’s a smaller more compact form factor but uses the same R2R architecture as the full size Harmony. This one is called the Harmony uDAC. This is a super value and is loaded with features and build quality not usually seen at this price. First impressions is that it sounds 90- 95% the same as the larger Harmony for 1/3 the cost. Seems a touch more relaxed vs the full size but these are first impressions that can change. More soon. :)

And when I read -

’This is a super value and is loaded with features and build quality not usually seen at this price. First impressions is that it sounds 90- 95% the same as the larger Harmony for 1/3 the cost.’

That really got my attention. Not to mention that sometimes in audio, some things come around and turn out to be giant killers, for their lesser price.

Anyway, a DAC with only balanced outputs should be connected to balanced inputs.  If nothing has been purchased yet, I wouldn't be looking at adapters, I would be looking at different gear. 

Now I absolutely don’t see anything wrong running the Liav µDAC through my Eversolo DMP-A8. Without the need or expense of adapters or other add ons. As I wrote earlier, I will repeat what also I said in a previous post.

@steakster, thanks for the thoughtful answer/explanation. If I do decide to get the Liav µDAC I’d run it through my Eversolo DMP-A8 XLR input connectors.

And y’all forgive me for going off topic, as I am also interested in from the Harmony line up, the Laiv Harmony µDDC for $849. So I just started to imagine the possibilities...

Thanks to the @OP, I was able to take the opportunity here to bounce ideas on, off and around here, on this post, and learn a thing or two.

@tyray

Not to mention that sometimes in audio, some things come around and turn out to be giant killers, for their lesser price.

For a component as important as a DAC, take your time in deciding. Generally speaking, the best giant-killer opportunities are with pre-owned gear - not low MSRP prices. Low MSRP prices means they’re cutting corners from the get-go.

Much depends on how your future DAC will be used. A desktop computer set-up - or a 2 channel audiophile system - or a home theater.

Currently, it’s a buyer’s market for used audio equipment.* Just submit an offer that you’re comfortable with. A new DAC doesn’t necessarily mean better SQ. My DAC is 10 years old and sounds amazing.

- - -

* When buying used, carefully read the sellers’ feedback about how well previous sales were packaged to prevent damage in shipping.

@steakster

I agree with you here.

For a component as important as a DAC, take your time in deciding.

But I do not agree with your statement here.

Generally speaking, the best giant-killer opportunities are with pre-owned gear - not low MSRP prices. Low MSRP prices means they’re cutting corners from the get-go.

What I have learned in audio is there’s no such thing as ’best’. One dac design today, in the past or even the future is based on the the electrical engineers creativity and skill in getting what and how a unit is to perform.

@snowdog57

This is what I found on youtube Not Just Another DAC: Unveiling the LAiV Harmony µDAC’s Inner Beauty! Dated March 21, 2025 from Vinshine Audio this youtube post states:

’And most importantly the true xlr output, despite the compact size the micro dac is a true balanced r2r ladder dac. What if you wanted to use an rca? No worries at all. The micro dav is designed to be adaptable. You can easily use a xlr to rca adapter or cable with the micro dac without any signal degradation loss. You’re well covered with a balanced output or the traditional single ended out.’

I try to come here to audiogon with an opened mind, to share ideas, to learn and ask questions with a courtesy to others. But sometimes some members have such an absolutist answer to a question as if there statements are the end all to a question asked. And what I’m finding out more and more is those statements are sometimes completely without merit.

I am simply here because I enjoy this audio hobby and I approach it as such, a hobby. And hopefully, although I’m not as well versed in electrical engineering principles as others, I hope it’s ok that I and others too can share ideas and questions here, no matter how rudimentary they are.

@snowdog57

Here’s a newly released youtube review of the Laiv Harmony µDAC dated March 21, 2025 from Steve Huff. I think you will like this also. The LAIV MICRO Harmony DAC Experience! NO COMPETITION EXISTS for this UNDER $1k Super R2R DAC.

@mulveling, your well thought out and gracious posts I’ve had the pleasure of reading over the years and most importantly learning from are always a welcome pleasure for me to read.

I could be wrong, but I suspect Laiv is going to sell a lot of these ’cheap dacs’.

@snowdog57 Going from a balanced source to RCA can be tricky.

The thing to understand is balanced and single-ended are mutually incompatible, so you have to jump through some hoops.

If just using a cable you can’t just use an adapter or cable with different connectors on either end in all cases. Some balanced outputs are solid state so if you ground one side, could be damaged.

If the balanced output is using an output transformer its very easy since the transformer doesn’t care if one side is at ground, so they inherently are always able to convert from one to the other.

If just running a cable though and hoping for the best, the best way to do it is this:

Pin 2 (non-inverting output) of the XLR end should be tied to the center pin of the RCA. Pin 3 (inverting output; don’t make the mistake of calling it ’cold...) of the XLR is tied to the barrel connection of the RCA.

Pin 1 (ground) of the XLR is connected via an extra connection to the chassis of the equipment with the RCA input.

If this connection sounds familiar, its the same as you often see on a turntable with RCA outputs.

So if you’re still with me the cable can be a balanced line cable with the RCA connected to the signal wires at the output and the connection to the chassis being an extension of the shield of the balanced cable, with a lug or alligator clip to allow you to connect it to the chassis ground. On no account should the shield (ground wire) and the barrel connection of the RCA cable touch.

If you’re having someone make up the cable have them read these instructions.

FWIW we’ve been doing balanced connections longer than anyone else in high end audio.

Thanks @atmasphere much appreciated.

Whoops, wrong date It should be. Here’s a newly released youtube review of the Laiv Harmony µDAC dated March 25, 2025 from Steve Huff.