radix
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I keep losing track of how you have stuff hooked up. I believe it is something like:
Focusrite -> TRS/XLR -> SP 200 -> Headphones
DAC Magic -> RCA -> Marantz -> Speakers
Also, the limit to 48 kHz is not a problem. You don't need more than 48 kHz. I'd more so be concerned about the THD+N and SINAD of the old Dac Magic. I'm sure it's worse than the DacMagic 100, which is not a great device.
Is that right?
You should be able to get TRS to XLR, then XLR splitters, then an XLR to RCA adapter. This will cause an impedance imbalance between the + phase and the - phase, as the - phase is floated on the marantz. A resistor might be needed.
Also, the SP200 can take unbalanced inputs, so it might be find to simply drive each off one phase of the focusrite output. In that link you posted, they show the - phase not connected. Well, you could connect it to the other device. It won't matter that the headphones are + phase and the Marantz is - phase.
Doing what your buddy suggested: DAC (focusrite and/or dac magic) - RCA -> Marantz - (line out, RCA) -> SP 200 is maybe a better solution, so long as you don't mind having the Marantz turned on. It's simpler wiring.
Yes, it is common to take only the + phase of the balanced to drive an unbalanced input.
Not really. The current would be doubled as the resistance is (maybe) halved. It depends on the input impedance of each item. It's likely that this won't make any difference so long as the input impedances are large enough. One would need the specs on each device.
When you get to the point of needing adapters and splitters and maybe a custom cable with an extra resistor or needing to keep 3 or 4 boxes turned on to do one thing, I say you have too complex of a configuration.
I'll go back to the simplicity of a new DAC. It could be a DX3pro+ or the E30/L30 or Ex5 or SMSL Sh-6 or one of many others DAC/Headphone Amp/Preamp combos so your chain is much simpler:
DAC/HPA -> Marantz
Personally, I think simplicity and fewer wires and fewer boxes has a value all to itself.
Focusrite -> TRS/XLR -> SP 200 -> Headphones
DAC Magic -> RCA -> Marantz -> Speakers
Also, the limit to 48 kHz is not a problem. You don't need more than 48 kHz. I'd more so be concerned about the THD+N and SINAD of the old Dac Magic. I'm sure it's worse than the DacMagic 100, which is not a great device.
Is that right?
It possibly isn't. But the things that confused me where:
- Confusion 1 -
I was originally going to split the signal out of the focusrite, which has balanced 1/4 jacks, via a 1/4 inch to rca connector. Then I stumbled on a blog post by JDS labs on how to connect an Audio Interface to a headphone amp and it confused me.
They've suggested one needs to take care to connect these balanced outputs to a unbalanced headphone amp (note the SMSL SP has balanced inputs, but only the XLR. The RCAs are unbalanced).
You should be able to get TRS to XLR, then XLR splitters, then an XLR to RCA adapter. This will cause an impedance imbalance between the + phase and the - phase, as the - phase is floated on the marantz. A resistor might be needed.
Also, the SP200 can take unbalanced inputs, so it might be find to simply drive each off one phase of the focusrite output. In that link you posted, they show the - phase not connected. Well, you could connect it to the other device. It won't matter that the headphones are + phase and the Marantz is - phase.
Doing what your buddy suggested: DAC (focusrite and/or dac magic) - RCA -> Marantz - (line out, RCA) -> SP 200 is maybe a better solution, so long as you don't mind having the Marantz turned on. It's simpler wiring.
- Confusion 2-
Interestingly the Focusrite manual specifies that one can use unbalanced out puts out of the outputs, no probs. Contradiction! Confusion 2!
Yes, it is common to take only the + phase of the balanced to drive an unbalanced input.
- Confusion 3 -
Splitting the signal out of the outputs with a y-splitter halves the signal. Or it doesn't. Confusion 3!
Not really. The current would be doubled as the resistance is (maybe) halved. It depends on the input impedance of each item. It's likely that this won't make any difference so long as the input impedances are large enough. One would need the specs on each device.
- Confusion 4 -
Getting decent y-splitter cables of short length is, for some reason, hard to find or expensive. Due to a coupon I have, I can get a SMSL Sanskrit Mk II for about $100.... and when I was considering these issues I would've preferred spending a little more on a DAC that was supposed to be better than the DAC in a focusrite, than spending $30-50 on cables.
So a range of little issues jumbling around in my head. Cathartic to get it all out. All this stuff made me consider upgrading to a higher end DAC that could serve both my outputs.
When you get to the point of needing adapters and splitters and maybe a custom cable with an extra resistor or needing to keep 3 or 4 boxes turned on to do one thing, I say you have too complex of a configuration.
I'll go back to the simplicity of a new DAC. It could be a DX3pro+ or the E30/L30 or Ex5 or SMSL Sh-6 or one of many others DAC/Headphone Amp/Preamp combos so your chain is much simpler:
DAC/HPA -> Marantz
Personally, I think simplicity and fewer wires and fewer boxes has a value all to itself.