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RME User Forum → ADI-2 & 2/4 Pro series, ADI-2 DAC series → Ref level of unbalanced XLR output
Hi all,
I am a new owner of the amazing ADI-2 DAC and would like to ask a stupid question here:
I have custom made a XLR to RCA with PIN 2 disconnected for DAC XLR output to a ncore RCA input. I am not sure in this situation, am I losing the +6dbu even I am using the XLR output?
Thank you
RX
Not 100% sure. But do you have a normal cinch cable? It should not create too much effort to cross check with that, 6dB difference are easy to hear.
I have custom made a XLR to RCA with PIN 2 disconnected for DAC XLR output to a ncore RCA input.
Maybe just a typo, but ...
It‘s pin 3 (XLR middle one) that should be disconnected.
Pin 3 signal is phase reversed, which under some circumstances can sound different.
You can use an RCA-RCA cable for the same result BTW.
... am I losing the +6dbu even I am using the XLR output?
With unbalanced destination this is the only way to do it, yes.
“Losing” sounds so negative, as if a higher level was better in any way.
Usually in a home environment it’s not, just the opposite.
RME ADI-2 DAC can go quite high, above what is needed.
Often passive attenuators are mandatory to fit the level to the power amp connected.
Read here about details, please:
https://forum.rme-audio.de/viewtopic.ph … 21#p161721
Insn’t the Hypex NCORE’s input balanced anyway, why not use a XLR-XLR for fully balanced interconnect?
Else you might need this:
(Watch out for the direction in the diagrams below, ADI-2 would be to the LEFT with your current connection!)
Sorry for typo and yes it is the PIN 3 which is disconnected in the cable
And I only got the RCA version of the audiophonics n252 power amp.
I also got a switch to select between RCA Pre out from my AV receiver and XLR from my ADI-2
Switch:
https://www.amazon.com/ONE-Little-Bear- … B00OY0TBMA
Anyway thx for your feedback and I just wanna make sure I am not over driving my power amp if the dbu is normal instead of 6db higher(which means double the voltage) than what it should be
n00BRX wrote:I have custom made a XLR to RCA with PIN 2 disconnected for DAC XLR output to a ncore RCA input.
Maybe just a typo, but ...
It‘s pin 3 (XLR middle one) that should be disconnected.
Pin 3 signal is phase reversed, which under some circumstances can sound different.You can use an RCA-RCA cable for the same result BTW.
n00BRX wrote:... am I losing the +6dbu even I am using the XLR output?
With unbalanced destination this is the only way to do it, yes.
“Losing” sounds so negative, as if a higher level was better in any way.Usually in a home environment it’s not, just the opposite.
RME ADI-2 DAC can go quite high, above what is needed.
Often passive attenuators are mandatory to fit the level to the power amp connected.Read here about details, please:
https://forum.rme-audio.de/viewtopic.ph … 21#p161721Insn’t the Hypex NCORE’s input balanced anyway, why not use a XLR-XLR for fully balanced interconnect?
Else you might need this:
(Watch out for the direction in the diagrams below, ADI-2 would be to the LEFT with your current connection!)
I also agree with you than since my power amp have a +25.6db gain and max power output at 1.66V, it is better to have a lower auto ref (-5db instead of the +1db with Balanced XLR) for better THN+D
You could use ADI-2 DAC‘s feature “Auto Reference Level” if you occasionally want to wake up your neighbors with full power 
Joke aside, it’s really usefull.
RME User Forum → ADI-2 & 2/4 Pro series, ADI-2 DAC series → Ref level of unbalanced XLR output
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