Do you need dual AK4499EX for full balanced output?

[kandamrgam]

I came across this post from soundnews: https://soundnews.net/reviews/sources/dacs/gustard-a26-dac-review-can-it-get-any-better/

AK4499EX superseded the AK4499EQ in Q3 2022 as their best one yet. Compared to its older 4-channel sibling, the newest silicon is a dual-channel one, meaning that for a fully-balanced signal two DAC chips will be needed and that’s exactly what Gustard employed in their A26.

Is this correct? Wouldn't each channel output positive and negative signals via different pin outs?

 

[KSTR]

No, one does not need two DAC chips for a balanced output.
Basically all DAC chips have differential outputs... but one should not use them directly as they contain unwanted common-mode signals. Rather, one is using a sort of balanced input after the DAC chip that re-references the difference signal to the output ground, and when you need a balanced output you make a balanced signal from that (there are clever circuits that do that more directly than adding an inverter after the first output line).