Balanced VS Sing-ended DACs,

[Speedskater]

Balanced outputs force you to use compatible amps, and are not simple or cheap to convert to (unlike unbalanced DAC outputs to balanced amp inputs).

Exactly!
Balanced interconnects are about the total interconnect system:
balanced output stage>>balanced cable>> balanced input stage
Converting a balanced output stage to an unbalanced can be tricky.
But it's easy to convert an unbalanced output stage to a balanced input stage.

 

[kecstama]

90% of the dacs that have XLR in this price range have RCA outs so this won't be a problem

 

[Koeitje]

I just bought an M500 myself, might be a good option? RCA+XLR outputs, very good DAC, decent headphone amp.

 

[somebodyelse]

Expanding on the 'extra resistor' point in my earlier post, @pma pointed out in another thread that you don't necessarily have to modify the single ended amp to balance it.

 

[kecstama]

I just bought an M500 myself, might be a good option? RCA+XLR outputs, very good DAC, decent headphone amp.

The M500 is kinda over my budget, but I'll think about it

 

[kecstama]

I ordered a Heed canamp along with a SMSL M8,

 

[MediumRare]

I ordered a Heed canamp along with a SMSL M8,

Those are interesting choices. How did you decide? Did you compare to the other SOTA headphone amps and DACs reviewed on this site?

 

[kecstama]

I had a pretty good deal on that M8

The canamp is an upgraded version (swappable AC cable, a bit better caps ect.)

Both used, they were 290$ combined. I'm planning to swap out/ build a headamp later so thats just temp.

 

[thefsb]

I'll be using active monitors (Later!, next planned upgrade ). If i read things right XLR "must" be better than RCA connection, but i want to be sure.

If the downstream amp has balanced input then a balanced output is preferable(*) on the upstream but it doesn't need to be XLR. ¼-inch TSR connectors work very well for balanced outputs too and they are often found on pro audio DACs (including low price models from, for example, Audient and Presonus). I like XLR because they feel solid but also because it's clear what you're looking at. TSR, however, has the advantage that you can plug a ¼-inch unbalanced TR patch cable in.

(*) "Must" (your word) is not accurate in general and "preferable" (my word) is a weasel word. Unbalanced output into balanced input can, under circumstances, work well. Hypex's FAQ has some great material on this.

I'm a fellow newbie ""audiphile"".

Don't call me audiophile!

Welcome to the forum!