DAC problem resolved! So don't mean to inconvenience anyone more on this, unless they want to jump in. Lalitk, sorry, I meant I use an XLR from Bryston BDP2 INTO the DAC. The Bryston does not have RCA out for some reason. XLR out of a DAC seems common, XLR in seems less common.
Recommendation Temporary DAC
My ARC DAC 8 does not appear to be passing a signal, and I imagine it will soon be boxed up and going in the shop. I am thinking about getting a temporary DAC. Would like to spend no more than $500...$1000 max. I can't even begin to weigh and balance the pros and cons of older, higher build quality devices vs the latest little plastic box that has the best tech and may sound better. Key limitation: Needs XLR input. Older model that I have noticed is NAD51, newer one is Nuprime DAC 9, as examples only. Ideas? Is new tech so good that I should be looking to leapfrog the ARC 8 altogether? DAC will feed an ARC preamp. Thanks