How to connect headphone amp when system has separate transport and DAC?

@imhififan:

Thanks. That occured to me but as I wasn't sure whether or nor that would compromise the sound of the system when not using headphones, I opted not to go that route...

Anther option is connect the dac rca output to Schiit Magi headphone amp input and connect the amplifier input to Magi rca output.

https://www.schiit.com/public/upload/images/magni3plus-rear-1920.jpg

My bad, I wasn't aware that you had a second amp consuming the RCA outs. I thought you were doing headphones only. 

After the Neutrik adaptor debacle, I decided get my A. Zen Silver Reference IC's reterminated with XLR's on one end.

While this is more expensive than most (but not all) adaptors, I see it as an approach that's less likely to compromise the sonic perfromance of the IC's, compared to an adaptor

Agreed, it should be much better sonically than both adapter and Y splitter.

@pauly:

My Aqua La Voce S2 DAC has one pair of RCA outs and one pair of XLR outs.

As the RCA's are already in use, my only option is the XLR's.

photo:

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649395475-aqua-la-voce-s2-dac/images/1710537/

After the Neutrik adaptor debacle, I decided get my A. Zen Silver Reference IC's reterminated with XLR's on one end.

While this is more expensive than most (but not all) adaptors, I see it as an approach that's less likely to compromise the sonic perfromance of the IC's, compared to an adaptor.  

My transport is the Moon 280.  

What transport do you have Stuart? 

Why don’t you just use the RCA output on your DAC? Why do you want to use the XLR output? 

The female Neutriks are too shallow and too loose to grip Acoustic Zen Silver Reference IC's.

They're going back-- waste of time.

I wasn't aware that band-aids were a tweak for headphone amps...

Plastic or cloth?

Medicated or unmedicated?

You learn the darndest things on A'gon...

And spending $50 on bandaids is silly when in 6-8 weeks you can get a better amp, in 6-8 weeks

You should just get a magnius!  Oh wait, they’ll  be available in 6-8 weeks, in 6-8 weeks, 6-8 weeks from 6-8 weeks from now!

Enjoy, lol!

I went ahead and ordered the Neutriks...

Neutrik?: 
https://www.parts-express.com/Neutrik-NA2MPMF-3-Pin-XLR-Male-to-RCA-Phono-Socket-Adapter-092-2406?gc...

Any reason to pay more, say?: 
https://www.moon-audio.com/moon-audio-rca-xlr-adapters.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMItcngocTX8QIVFx6tBh3tfw...

I'm not willing to pay $200 for Cardas. ..

I meant, Vali and Magni !

@fuzztone:

OK-- I didn't know there was such a thing as a XLR male to RCA female adapter-- thanks so much for the suggestion!  

The A. Zen Silver Reference  IC's aren't exactly cheap-- which brand of XLR to RCA adapter do you recommend in order to achieve the least compromised performance ? 

As far as the Vali and Magnius are concerned, I'd like to hear more about your impressions when comparing them.   

Thanks,

Stuartk

All you need are 2 XLR male to RCA female adapters. Or 2 coax Y cords. Unless you are dead set on blowing some dough.
I enjoy the Vali 2+ much more that the Magni 3.
I own both.

Sorry, Pauly--  yesterday I moved my transport to where the DAC had been and vice versa, which led me to wrongly describe how my system is connected. The truth is, I'm much more of a right-brain person (a "music-lover who enjoys good sound") rather than a bonafied, engineering-minded audiophile, so I can get easily confused about this stuff. 

The system IS set up the way you've suggested it be set up.

I see the Schiit Magnius has XLR inputs, so I'll order one of those and return the Magni. I'll also need to pick up some XLR IC's, of course.

Thanks for your interest!

Best,

Stuart 

Your transport connects to your one of your DACs inputs. Regardless of type of connector, it will be a single cable. It sounds like you have connected your Transport to the DACs unbalanced outputs. The signal goes from the transport to the DAC, hence the transport is connected to one of the DACs inputs.

Looks like you have BNC connector on your DAC, so you need to get an adapter or a new coax cable with one end BNC and the other RCA. 

Your headphone amp connects to your DAC’s outputs. You probably have at least one pair of unbalanced (RCA) output terminals. The connection between the DAC and headphone amp will require two cables.

Hi Fuzztone,

No-- Aqua La Voce. Can't afford a Formula. 

I figured it out: 

La Voce has two sets of outputs-- RCA and XLR. I'm already using the RCA's to connect to my Moon transport.

That leaves just the Aqua's XLR outs, which I can't use because the Schiit does not have XLR inputs.

Gonna have to send it back. 

Live and (hopefully) learn.

 Thanks for your interest.

Best,

Stuartk

Huh?
Aqua what? Formula?