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XLR Female to RCA Plug Adapter

Looking for direct experience and/or a technical explanation on using an XLR Female to a male RCA Plug Adapter, if it’s a good idea or not, and what adapters are most transparent and do the least damage to the signal.

According to the manufacturer of my DAC, using its balanced output is much preferred to using RCA. My pre only has single-ended inputs, so if I used a good adapter plug would it negate all the benefits of using the DAC’s XLR out or, put another way, would I just be better off using an RCA interconnect and forgo the adapter? Thanks for any thoughts.

soix
soix OP
8,765 posts
 

Thanks for all the good info guys.  Think it’s best I talk to the manufacturer of my pre to see what they recommend just to avoid potential issues.  The other thing I was wondering is if I’d still retain the benefits of using the XLR out from my DAC if I use an adapter or would that basically be the same as just running an RCA cable?

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tom2015
89 posts
 

I use Cardas clear adapters for exactly the same application. They sell 2 types, the more expensive ones are the same connectors they use on their high end cables. No change in sound. I use 2 sets. 

soix OP
8,765 posts
 

@steakster My DAC is a Musician Pegasus R2R and it is fully balanced, so from what you’re saying I could use a simple adapter plug with no transformer.  I guess if I lose all the benefit of the DAC’s XLR out it makes more sense to just use an RCA interconnect and not add the additional connector into the signal path.  Does that sound right?

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