# RCA, XLR advice ,please **URL:** \ **Category:** DACs\ **Created:** [March 28, 2021, 1:40pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/rca-xlr-advice-please/22785 "2021-03-28T13:40:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![brend](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/67e7ee/32.png) [@brend](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/brend)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2021, 1:40pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/rca-xlr-advice-please/22785/1 "2021-03-28T13:40:41Z")
I think this has been covered before but I need some some help, please. I have a Direcstream dac connected to my integrated amp. with RCA interconnects, to an RCA input on the amp. I intend to change the connection from the DS to the amp from the RCA output on the DS to the XLR output and then to an XLR input on the amp. I am able to switch between inputs on the amp with the amps remote control. Do I need to disconnect the RCA interconnects when using the XLR connections ? Thank you ---
**Author:** ![Elk](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/elk/32/1240_2.png) [@Elk](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/Elk)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2021, 1:53pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/rca-xlr-advice-please/22785/2 "2021-03-28T13:53:14Z")
I must need more than than the four shots of espresso I have already had; I am unable to parse your post to understand what you want to do. You simultaneously want to connect the DS to two different inputs on your integrated amp, one RCA; the other, XLR? ---
**Author:** ![Palouse](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/palouse/32/93521_2.png) [@Palouse](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/Palouse)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2021, 2:02pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/rca-xlr-advice-please/22785/3 "2021-03-28T14:02:55Z")
Yes, EITHER XLR cables OR RCA, but NOT both at the same time. ---
**Author:** ![Elk](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/elk/32/1240_2.png) [@Elk](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/Elk)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2021, 2:18pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/rca-xlr-advice-please/22785/4 "2021-03-28T14:18:08Z")
It is no problem to connect the DSD’s outputs to two different pieces of equipment at the same time. I am however a little uncomfortable connecting two outputs to the same piece of equipment. I do not know if it matters, but the likely shared ground of the two integrated amp’s inputs bothers me a bit. We need the opinion of someone with more expertise than I. ---
**Author:** ![brend](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/67e7ee/32.png) [@brend](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/brend)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2021, 2:22pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/rca-xlr-advice-please/22785/5 "2021-03-28T14:22:28Z")
I am sorry for the confusion. I will just use the XLR output on the DS to the XLR input on the amp. and select this input to play music. My question is can I just leave the the RCA interconnects in situ ? ---
**Author:** ![Elk](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/elk/32/1240_2.png) [@Elk](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/Elk)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2021, 2:26pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/rca-xlr-advice-please/22785/6 "2021-03-28T14:26:55Z")
Yes, I understand. The shared grounds I mention probably makes no difference and what you are suggesting is fine. The danger is probably only the possibility of a little noise. I just do not know for certain. ---
**Author:** ![brend](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/67e7ee/32.png) [@brend](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/brend)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2021, 2:39pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/rca-xlr-advice-please/22785/7 "2021-03-28T14:39:46Z")
Thank you ---
**Author:** ![lonson](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/lonson/32/249792_2.png) [@lonson](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/lonson)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2021, 2:44pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/rca-xlr-advice-please/22785/8 "2021-03-28T14:44:39Z")
The XLR input will be considerably louder so be cautious switching between inputs. ---
**Author:** ![Palouse](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/palouse/32/93521_2.png) [@Palouse](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/Palouse)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2021, 2:49pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/rca-xlr-advice-please/22785/9 "2021-03-28T14:49:51Z")
An earlier post on a similar topic has advice: > [@BHK250 - RCA & XLR inputs connected at same time?](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/bhk250-rca-xlr-inputs-connected-at-same-time/18090): > > Hi, just wondering if I can connect the RCA & XLR inputs on my BHK250 at the same time? I want to run my home theatre setup via RCA and my 2ch setup via XLR. Obviously not intending on running them simultaneously but being able to connect them up at the same time rather than connecting / disconnecting when switching from HT to 2ch will be useful in my setup. Just hoping it’s possible and won’t risk any damage to the amp. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![brend](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/67e7ee/32.png) [@brend](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/brend)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2021, 3:38pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/rca-xlr-advice-please/22785/10 "2021-03-28T15:38:10Z")
Thank you Elk, Palouse and Ionson for your help. The consensus seems to be that it is ok to have the RCA and XLR outputs connected to the RCA and XLR inputs, but only have either RCA or XLR outputting at any one time. Also be careful of the difference in loudness