Balanced DAC with EQ and sub out?

[streamophile]

Have been out of the audio circles for a bit and now want to get back in because I want to upgrade.

Currently, I'm running a pair of Genelec 8030C's with a Topping E50 balanced DAC and a Chromecast Audio as a source. I'm pretty happy with the system but I want to improve it in two directions:
1. Add EQ to help reign in the bass issues in my room what I've measured with a recently bought Umik mic.
2. Add a sub because the bass extension of the 8030 is quite limited and I think that's an easy way to improve my setup

So, I've been looking for an affordable DAC that does both these options, but it seems there are not that many that do all of this. I've found only the Luxsin X9 (https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/luxsin-x9-smart-stereo-dac-preamp.63563/) but it is more expensive than what I paid for the rest of my system together! I was looking for something more in the real of ~500€.

Another option would be to go for a streamer if there was a streamer that offered this functionality and I could ditch the Chromecast Audio, but I've also not found this around.

 

[staticV3]

If you use the right cables, you can feed the 8030C from an RCA output without sacrificing sound quality or noise immunity.

That unlocks many options like the WiiM Ultra, miniDSP 2x4HD, or miniDSP Flex.

 

[streamophile]

If you use the right cables, you can feed the 8030C from an RCA output without sacrificing sound quality or noise immunity.

That unlocks many options like the WiiM Ultra, miniDSP 2x4HD, or miniDSP Flex.

Oh, this sounds very interesting! I thought about the Wiim Ultra as it has everything I'm looking for except the balanced in's. I'm based in the EU - any good alternatives here? Link something that audiophonics would sell or that I can find on Amazon?

I looked into this briefly some years ago and it seemed like XLR to RCA was finicky and depends on the type of XLR output so I was concerned that this path was not as straightforward as I'd like it to be,

What if I wait for Wiim to make a Wiim Ultra Pro with balanced in's?

 

[staticV3]

Oh, this sounds very interesting! I thought about the Wiim Ultra as it has everything I'm looking for except the balanced in's. I'm based in the EU - any good alternatives here? Link something that audiophonics would sell or that I can find on Amazon?

I looked into this briefly some years ago and it seemed like XLR to RCA was finicky and depends on the type of XLR output so I was concerned that this path was not as straightforward as I'd like it to be,

What if I wait for Wiim to make a Wiim Ultra Pro with balanced in's?

The most straightforward way, and the one that guarantees that the cable wiring is indeed as required, would be to buy an XLR to XLR cable, snip off one XLR plug, then solder an RCA plug on as this member did:

J

Post in thread 'Review and Measurements of Crown XLS 1502 Amp'

Sep 1, 2024

I run an XLS-1500 daily in my system, using a Schiit headphone amp as preamp (Schiit Heresy). I originally tried to use RCA to RCA on the Crown and had nothing but noise problems. It wasn't hum, it was RF interference. I tried everything I could think of and nothing fixed it other than using a full balanced preamp. Recently I built my own RCA to XLR cable, by changing an existing XLR cable from a musical instrument store. It was two conductors plus shield. I removed the preamp end and replaced it with an RCA plug with the + wire connected to the center pin as usual and the negative wire...

• JeffGB

• 

This is among the easiest solder jobs you can do (perfect for a beginner) but it is still soldering,

 

[Berwhale]

I feed both my iLoud MTMs and Presonus Sub8 from the balanced out of a Topping DX5 II. I built a custom y-splitter cable for this and terminated the monitor/sub ends with right angled TRS plugs as it made my cabling neater...

Post in thread 'Balanced recommendation please'

Feb 10, 2025

Does anyone have any experience with Sommer Cable Peacock Twin (Shotgun) Balanced Cable? I want to use it to make balanced splitter cables to connect my Topping EX5 to my iLoud MTMs and Presonus Sub8. And it looks ideal for my little project...

I currently have XLR to TRS cables going from my Topping EX5 on my desk, down through a cable snake to my Sub8 on the floor. I then have another set of TRS to TRS cables going from the Sub8 output back up through the cable snake up to the MTMs mounted on my standing desk.

Building a splitter cable would:

• Reduce the number of cables run...

• Berwhale

Obviously, you'll need a 'studio' sub for this. Most home theatre subs do not have balanced inputs.

 

[goofytwoshoes]

Have been out of the audio circles for a bit and now want to get back in because I want to upgrade.

Currently, I'm running a pair of Genelec 8030C's with a Topping E50 balanced DAC and a Chromecast Audio as a source. I'm pretty happy with the system but I want to improve it in two directions:
1. Add EQ to help reign in the bass issues in my room what I've measured with a recently bought Umik mic.
2. Add a sub because the bass extension of the 8030 is quite limited and I think that's an easy way to improve my setup

So, I've been looking for an affordable DAC that does both these options, but it seems there are not that many that do all of this. I've found only the Luxsin X9 (https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/luxsin-x9-smart-stereo-dac-preamp.63563/) but it is more expensive than what I paid for the rest of my system together! I was looking for something more in the real of ~500€.

Another option would be to go for a streamer if there was a streamer that offered this functionality and I could ditch the Chromecast Audio, but I've also not found this around.

What bass issues have you measured? Peaks, dips or both? Have you used the DIP switches on the 8030C speakers to help with these issues? For a sub, I suggest that you get one with measurement/calibration built in. I have a pair of 8030C and used a Martin Logan 800X sub with Anthem ARC Genesis calibration built-in (had to buy the mic/stand separate, though). Worked great in my room, especially with their cell phone app that allows control of sub volume, phase, low pass frequency and slope, etc.

 

[kolestonin]

Oh, this sounds very interesting! I thought about the Wiim Ultra as it has everything I'm looking for except the balanced in's. I'm based in the EU - any good alternatives here? Link something that audiophonics would sell or that I can find on Amazon?

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Maybe text them asking exactly what you need.

 

[Yorkshire Mouth]

WiiM Ultra.