# XLR or RCA outputs? **URL:** \ **Category:** DACs\ **Created:** [February 14, 2018, 8:33am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/xlr-or-rca-outputs/5044 "2018-02-14T08:33:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![msommers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f6c823/32.png) [@msommers](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/msommers)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2018, 8:33am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/xlr-or-rca-outputs/5044/1 "2018-02-14T08:33:33Z")
My next power amp will only have single ended rca inputs which means losing my xlr connections. Two things: 1. Has anyone noticed a difference between the two outputs? I used to have a Schiit dac and there was a subtle more refined sound from xlr than rca. 2. I use the attenuator now to lower floor noise but have a bit of a volume boost using balanced connections, which I will likely lose with the new amp. And so, I feel the best way to do this is to build a passive transformer xlr to rca box. Can someone please specify how the balanced connections (pin-out) should be connected in relation to the rca out? I’ve seen xlr to rca cables but this is not the best way to do things, using a transformer is. I just want to ensure the instructions I give to the builder for connections from the DS are as painless as possible. ---
**Author:** ![JeffofArabica](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/jeffofarabica/32/135_2.png) [@JeffofArabica](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/JeffofArabica)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2018, 9:15am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/xlr-or-rca-outputs/5044/2 "2018-02-14T09:15:37Z")
I just posted a similar reply on another thread. I use this XLR to RCA transformer from Decware (Model ZBIT) with my DSD DAC and cannot recommend it enough. [http://www.decware.com/newsite/ZBIT.html](http://www.decware.com/newsite/ZBIT.html) ---
**Author:** ![RonP](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/ronp/32/213555_2.png) [@RonP](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/RonP)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2018, 10:34am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/xlr-or-rca-outputs/5044/3 "2018-02-14T10:34:31Z")
This I can comment with certainty: I have the same Zu Audio “Event” interconnects, same length, one SE, one XLR going from my PS DSD to a fully balanced FirstWatt J2 amp. The xlr sounds much more detailed, especially at lower volume. That said, I don’t think the difference is sufficient to do your “step 2”. Why add more stuff in the loop? ---
**Author:** ![minimalist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9e8a1a/32.png) [@minimalist](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/minimalist)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2018, 12:11pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/xlr-or-rca-outputs/5044/4 "2018-02-14T12:11:51Z")
> **Jeff of Arabica said** > > I just posted a similar reply on another thread. I use this XLR to RCA transformer from Decware (Model ZBIT) with my DSD DAC and cannot recommend it enough. > > [The Decware Zen Balancing Act - Model ZBIT](http://www.decware.com/newsite/ZBIT.html) The Decware appears to isolate grounds between the source and output, which is nice, and will give the balanced voltage output to the RCAs. The output pot will have a big influence on its sound and, if it is 100Kohms as shown in their schematic, the output impedance will be quite high at half volume, which could be a problem with some amps. ---
**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:** [February 14, 2018, 12:15pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/xlr-or-rca-outputs/5044/5 "2018-02-14T12:15:36Z")
> **Jeff of Arabica said** > > I just posted a similar reply on another thread. I use this XLR to RCA transformer from Decware (Model ZBIT) with my DSD DAC and cannot recommend it enough. > > [The Decware Zen Balancing Act - Model ZBIT](http://www.decware.com/newsite/ZBIT.html) Jeff knows I use the same ZBIT from Decware. It definitely allows me to enjoy what I consider the superior sound from the balanced output of the DSD. ---
**Author:** ![tedsmith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/tedsmith/32/96626_2.png) [@tedsmith](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/tedsmith)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2018, 1:16pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/xlr-or-rca-outputs/5044/6 "2018-02-14T13:16:39Z")
The audio XLR outputs have pin 2 as +, pin 3 as - pin 1 (and the shield) are grounded. If your amp truly has a floating differential RCA input (i.e. neither side of it’s connection is grounded (which is very unlikely)) you can use a simple wired point to point adapter from the XLR to the RCA. Most of the time you’ll need a quality transformer based adapter in the audio interconnects - once you have a transformer you can select just about any output level you want.