Share this with anyone who needs to know how to hook up their headphone or audio stack. I re-uploaded this after I found that the audio settings were messed up between clips. Thanks to everyone who alerted me.
RCA cables might actually be better than balanced for such short cables as the electronics is simpler without balanced circuit. If this was an integrated product, you wouldn’t have added those extra components not only due to the added BOM cost but also due to the added loss of signal integrity. Balanced makes sense for much longer cables but for some reason got a reputation for being better also for very short cables, which is generally false.
I say " thank you" for making the video. There is always a place for elementary education, because we all start at the beginning at some point in time. Folks' need to learn is not to be given disregard. Things perceived as simple, "common sense," mundane and everyday are not necessarily this way for another. We want to be able to learn! Thank you for helping people learn, Currawong.
Also, make sure the sound output on your device (computer, tv, etc.) is set to the component that's connected to it. Computers often have a few sound output options. Windows can be done by clicking the speaker icon in the bottom right of your screen and selecting the desired output.
Kudos for making this beginners guide. Many of seasoned audiophiles take things like this for granted. As with anything in which we have become proficient it is easy to forget that we were all noobs at one point in time. Even if one is self-taught through intuition and trial and error not everyone is like that. I admit that I need "_____ for dummies" guidance in other areas which other people may deem unnecessary because it's "so easy". For you maybe, but not for me. Kudos also to the person the person who asked the question. It took me many years in my professional career to not be afraid to ask the "stupid questions" and to admit that one either does not know or does not understand. What I usually say to my colleagues is "I ask the stupid questions so that you don't have to". I say "stupid questions" as it is colloquially understood but I do not believe in stupid questions. If you don't know, you don't know. You would probably be surprised to find out how many people have similar questions but are afraid to ask. Never let fear guide any aspect of your life and you certainly do not need to give a flying fk what other people think. Ask questions. About everything. Always. Stay curious. It's the only way to get smarter every day. Well done.
You can, but it's almost always unnecessary, and can cause issues with some equipment, as RCA/XLR adaptor cables short part of the electronics to ground.
So if i am understanding the video correctly, The computer or dap connects to the dac. The dac output connects to the amp input. The headphones or speakers connects to the amp. Is this correct?
I've heard people say optical is better than usb for connecting a dac but I've never really looked into that too much. Is there a way to use optical with a computer (particularly Apple) and do you think there's any advantage?
Hell, noob question as I am new to the hobby. What if I have a all-in-one system - meaning DAC/AMP in 1 device. Do I just plug in my pc to the dac/amp and i'm good to go?
First I wanna say all that gear behind you is what I hope heaven looks like if there is such a place lol ... anyways so....i have a fiio k11 and schiit magni 2 , I tried a bunch of different ways to connect them together.But still been unsuccessful.I don't know anything about optical input Maybe that's what I need. the k11 only has line out rca so im still trying to figure it out , they're both dac amps I'm pretty sure so does it even make sense 4 me to connect them together? I was just thinking it would give a little bit more power if they worked together because I have them both sitting there. Or if it's a waste of time maybe I should not do it and sell one to purchase something like a pre amp or other compatible stack style device , what do you think ?!? Thanks
Hmmmm. This is an important video. Its even hard to get some good info in forums for this basic concept. I am actually using my dap as my computer/streamer. I was curious if the dac in the DAP spits out enough volts when i plug it into an amp. I wanted to use my dap as a second (oversampling DAC).
Standard outputs for SE (RCA) and balanced (XLR or 4.4mm) are 2V and 4V. If the DAP has a line out mode, it should be sufficient. It's rare that it's not.
I use an analog to digital converter for a soundbar and an amplifier connect to my pc over aux splitter 3,5 mm...I wonder if i can connect my analog digital converter to amplifier directly and how about the sound
Thank you for the video - really helpful! Just interesting - what will be if I connect my FiiO Q7 using 6,3 to 2 rca cable to my standalone amplifier. And then will plug in my headphones to the standalone amplifier via balance input - XLR or 4.4 pentacon. Is it going to be just unbalance or are there any nuances,
If I have a logitech z906 surround sound system and it has a dac built in can I use an external dac and plug my headphone into the logitech so it amplifies the headphones more than the amp built into my Cambridge 200 magic
@@Currawong yes it has optical output but if I use the analog. Will it still use the dac from the logitech or the dac magic? I have a marantz pm6007 aswell but that also has a dac I don't know what to do
If you connect the analog outputs of the Logitec, you'll be using the Logitech's DAC. If you connect to the analog outputs of the external DAC, you'll use the external DAC.
What if you have multiple amps but one DAC? My current setup consists of a schitt Valhalla 2 & magnius connected to a geshilli labs jnog 2 dac. I connected the Valhalla to the system using the rca outputs, it works but the Valhalla obliviously relies on magnius to function. What is the alternative?
you can connect both of your amps independently to Jnog 2 since it has 2 different outputs. Connecting Magnius through XLR output of Jnog2, and feed Valhalla 2 by RCA outs of the DAC. I assume right know you are feeding Valhalla 2 using RCA pre-out on Magnius. But you don't have to. all you need is a pair of XLR connectors so that you can connect your Magnius directly to the DAC. and use RCA out for Valhalla 2. in fact if you connect your Valhalla 2 directly to Jnog 2, you probably are going to get better sound since Single Ended output of Magnius isn't as good as Balanced out.
Ok so weird/dumb beginner questions. If I have a AMP & DAC stack and plug RCA/Optical cable into them, do I need to power both devices at the same time for them to work? Or because they’re connected through RCA/Optical can I get away with only powering one over the other? Additionally, if I was to use my AMP over the DAC is the device I want to use need to be the one I plug power into or does it matter? (I hope my questions makes some sort of sense. Sorry for the convoluted questions. I’ve just recently been introduced to the HIFI world and want to make sure I understand the equipment before making a big purchase lol.)
Most of the time, the connection for power and the connection for audio are separate, so both devices need to be powered. Some smaller DACs, such as USB "dongle" DACs, like the one I show later in the video, have both power and digital audio go through USB, so only one cable is needed for those devices. Any connected amplifier though will still need its own power. Basically, if it comes with a power supply or power cable, you need to use that.
Thanks for the straightforward video! One question: Do you normally switch the power off on the back of your Jot2 + Bifrost stack when your PC is turned off/when not in use or do you usually just leave the stack powered on even when your PC is turned off? As a Jot2 + Bifrost stack user this simple but dumb question has kept me up a couple times haha
Hello a new subscriber here . I have a noob question , first time i get in my hands a Topping L30 ii desktop amp and I am using a Cayin RU7 dongle DAC with both 3.5 mm and 4.4 mm balanced output with phone out and line out modes . I am trying to use this dongle DAC as a pair for my newly acquired amp and a lot of people have suggested me using a 3.5mm to RCA adapter , but I wanna ask , will there be any problem if i get a 4.4m balanced to RCA adapter ?
A 4.4 mm to RCA connection has to short part of the balanced output signal to ground, and depending on the set-up, could cause harm, though usually it wont. If you want to use RCA input, use the 3.5 mm output of the dongle DAC.
I want to use my audio interface as a DAC and connect it to an AMP, my Audient id 14 mkii doesn't have RCA output, only quarter inch output, what is the best way to use it as a DAC??
Share this with anyone who needs to know how to hook up their headphone or audio stack. I re-uploaded this after I found that the audio settings were messed up between clips. Thanks to everyone who alerted me.
RCA cables might actually be better than balanced for such short cables as the electronics is simpler without balanced circuit. If this was an integrated product, you wouldn’t have added those extra components not only due to the added BOM cost but also due to the added loss of signal integrity. Balanced makes sense for much longer cables but for some reason got a reputation for being better also for very short cables, which is generally false.
I say " thank you" for making the video.
There is always a place for elementary education, because we all start at the beginning at some point in time.
Folks' need to learn is not to be given disregard. Things perceived as simple, "common sense," mundane and everyday are not necessarily this way for another. We want to be able to learn! Thank you for helping people learn, Currawong.
Also, make sure the sound output on your device (computer, tv, etc.) is set to the component that's connected to it.
Computers often have a few sound output options. Windows can be done by clicking the speaker icon in the bottom right of your screen and selecting the desired output.
Kudos for making this beginners guide. Many of seasoned audiophiles take things like this for granted. As with anything in which we have become proficient it is easy to forget that we were all noobs at one point in time. Even if one is self-taught through intuition and trial and error not everyone is like that. I admit that I need "_____ for dummies" guidance in other areas which other people may deem unnecessary because it's "so easy". For you maybe, but not for me. Kudos also to the person the person who asked the question. It took me many years in my professional career to not be afraid to ask the "stupid questions" and to admit that one either does not know or does not understand. What I usually say to my colleagues is "I ask the stupid questions so that you don't have to". I say "stupid questions" as it is colloquially understood but I do not believe in stupid questions. If you don't know, you don't know. You would probably be surprised to find out how many people have similar questions but are afraid to ask. Never let fear guide any aspect of your life and you certainly do not need to give a flying fk what other people think. Ask questions. About everything. Always. Stay curious. It's the only way to get smarter every day.
Well done.
👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
I will try running my DAP through my amp via 3.5mm/RCA connection. Thanks for the idea.
In the past I've hooked up my Bluetooth dongle to my old home theater receiver using that same cable.
I've done this. With my walkman, using the DAC of the dap. Works fine.
Your video is life saving !! Just bought a Schiit stack for my headphones, and I was totally lost, coming from iems
You can also do RCA to XLR or XLR to RCA in cases where only your DAC is balanced but your amp isn't and vice versa.
You can, but it's almost always unnecessary, and can cause issues with some equipment, as RCA/XLR adaptor cables short part of the electronics to ground.
Thank you so much for making this video. ❤
Fantastic, clear and simple. Thanks
So if i am understanding the video correctly,
The computer or dap connects to the dac.
The dac output connects to the amp input.
The headphones or speakers connects to the amp.
Is this correct?
That's correct.
I've heard people say optical is better than usb for connecting a dac but I've never really looked into that too much. Is there a way to use optical with a computer (particularly Apple) and do you think there's any advantage?
Thanks for posting this video.
Hell, noob question as I am new to the hobby. What if I have a all-in-one system - meaning DAC/AMP in 1 device. Do I just plug in my pc to the dac/amp and i'm good to go?
Yes, that's right.
Thank you great video.
First I wanna say all that gear behind you is what I hope heaven looks like if there is such a place lol ... anyways so....i have a fiio k11 and schiit magni 2 , I tried a bunch of different ways to connect them together.But still been unsuccessful.I don't know anything about optical input Maybe that's what I need. the k11 only has line out rca so im still trying to figure it out , they're both dac amps I'm pretty sure so does it even make sense 4 me to connect them together? I was just thinking it would give a little bit more power if they worked together because I have them both sitting there. Or if it's a waste of time maybe I should not do it and sell one to purchase something like a pre amp or other compatible stack style device , what do you think ?!? Thanks
Hmmmm. This is an important video. Its even hard to get some good info in forums for this basic concept.
I am actually using my dap as my computer/streamer.
I was curious if the dac in the DAP spits out enough volts when i plug it into an amp. I wanted to use my dap as a second (oversampling DAC).
Standard outputs for SE (RCA) and balanced (XLR or 4.4mm) are 2V and 4V. If the DAP has a line out mode, it should be sufficient. It's rare that it's not.
@@Currawong ahhh cool. I'm a huge fan of the sony walkmans.
I use an analog to digital converter for a soundbar and an amplifier connect to my pc over aux splitter 3,5 mm...I wonder if i can connect my analog digital converter to amplifier directly and how about the sound
Don't you mean digital to analog converter?
@@Currawong no there is analog to digital converter on online market i bought it and it works fine to connect my toslink soundbar from my pc
Why not get a USB to Toslink adaptor for your PC?
@@Currawong it hard to find in my country
Thank you for the video - really helpful!
Just interesting - what will be if I connect my FiiO Q7 using 6,3 to 2 rca cable to my standalone amplifier. And then will plug in my headphones to the standalone amplifier via balance input - XLR or 4.4 pentacon. Is it going to be just unbalance or are there any nuances,
XLR and 4.4mm outputs of a balanced amp will always be balanced, so no problem with what you're doing.
If I have a logitech z906 surround sound system and it has a dac built in can I use an external dac and plug my headphone into the logitech so it amplifies the headphones more than the amp built into my Cambridge 200 magic
Only if the Logitech has digital passthrough.
@@Currawong yes it has optical output but if I use the analog. Will it still use the dac from the logitech or the dac magic? I have a marantz pm6007 aswell but that also has a dac I don't know what to do
Have I brought a dac for no reason
@@Currawong if i dont use the digital passthrough will it still use the logitech dac?
If you connect the analog outputs of the Logitec, you'll be using the Logitech's DAC. If you connect to the analog outputs of the external DAC, you'll use the external DAC.
What if you have multiple amps but one DAC? My current setup consists of a schitt Valhalla 2 & magnius connected to a geshilli labs jnog 2 dac. I connected the Valhalla to the system using the rca outputs, it works but the Valhalla obliviously relies on magnius to function. What is the alternative?
you can connect both of your amps independently to Jnog 2 since it has 2 different outputs. Connecting Magnius through XLR output of Jnog2, and feed Valhalla 2 by RCA outs of the DAC. I assume right know you are feeding Valhalla 2 using RCA pre-out on Magnius. But you don't have to. all you need is a pair of XLR connectors so that you can connect your Magnius directly to the DAC. and use RCA out for Valhalla 2. in fact if you connect your Valhalla 2 directly to Jnog 2, you probably are going to get better sound since Single Ended output of Magnius isn't as good as Balanced out.
Ok so weird/dumb beginner questions.
If I have a AMP & DAC stack and plug RCA/Optical cable into them, do I need to power both devices at the same time for them to work? Or because they’re connected through RCA/Optical can I get away with only powering one over the other?
Additionally, if I was to use my AMP over the DAC is the device I want to use need to be the one I plug power into or does it matter?
(I hope my questions makes some sort of sense. Sorry for the convoluted questions. I’ve just recently been introduced to the HIFI world and want to make sure I understand the equipment before making a big purchase lol.)
Most of the time, the connection for power and the connection for audio are separate, so both devices need to be powered.
Some smaller DACs, such as USB "dongle" DACs, like the one I show later in the video, have both power and digital audio go through USB, so only one cable is needed for those devices. Any connected amplifier though will still need its own power.
Basically, if it comes with a power supply or power cable, you need to use that.
Thanks for the straightforward video!
One question: Do you normally switch the power off on the back of your Jot2 + Bifrost stack when your PC is turned off/when not in use or do you usually just leave the stack powered on even when your PC is turned off? As a Jot2 + Bifrost stack user this simple but dumb question has kept me up a couple times haha
I'd leave the Bifrost on, and the Jotunheim off. R2R DACs like the Bifrost are affected by temperature. Leaving them on allows them to stay stable.
Hello a new subscriber here . I have a noob question , first time i get in my hands a Topping L30 ii desktop amp and I am using a Cayin RU7 dongle DAC with both 3.5 mm and 4.4 mm balanced output with phone out and line out modes . I am trying to use this dongle DAC as a pair for my newly acquired amp and a lot of people have suggested me using a 3.5mm to RCA adapter , but I wanna ask , will there be any problem if i get a 4.4m balanced to RCA adapter ?
A 4.4 mm to RCA connection has to short part of the balanced output signal to ground, and depending on the set-up, could cause harm, though usually it wont. If you want to use RCA input, use the 3.5 mm output of the dongle DAC.
@Currawong thank you so much for the advice , I appreciate it . God bless you 🙏
Where would I put an equaliser?
Good question! Between the DAC and the amp, if you're getting the Schiit Loki or Lokius.
Could i connect dac and amplifier with xla male and female
Yes. XLR uses male plugs on one end, and female on the other.
@Currawong tnx sir
I want to use my audio interface as a DAC and connect it to an AMP, my Audient id 14 mkii doesn't have RCA output, only quarter inch output, what is the best way to use it as a DAC??
You can get adaptors. amzn.to/49wHu9i
@@Currawong
Does it matter if it's TS or TRS adapter?
Check the manual of your amp. Usually both TRS-to-XLR or TS-to-RCA will work.
thank you
aune s17 pro soon? :)
RU-6 as a source hyyyype!
U r like the guys of AI doin 101...Ha5..Peace!