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SE IN/BAL OUT vs BAL IN/BAL OUT (Topping A50/D50 III)

vogam

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Hey everyone, hope you're all doing well! I've got a question about my upcoming stack setup. I've gone ahead and ordered the A50 III + D50 III + Balanced TRS Cable, but after taking a closer look at the specs for BAL IN/BAL OUT, I'm starting to second-guess myself about not getting an RCA cable instead. I had this idea that for the best results with balanced output, the whole DAC-AMP chain should be balanced. I know the differences are probably inaudible, but I just want to make sure I'm getting my money's worth for balanced setup...
apos-audio-topping-headphone-amp-topping-a50-iii-desktop-headphone-amp-40019479462124_1200x1800.jpg
So, would any of you recommend ditching BAL IN/BAL OUT in favor of SE IN/BAL OUT to drive my Sennheiser HD 800S? Thanks a bunch in advance! And sorry if this has already been discussed somewhere else - I couldn't find any info on it
 
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Hi @vogam! Welcome to ASR.

Effectively, the only difference between D50->RCA->A50 and D50->TRS->A50 will be in loudness.

With the A50 set to the same gain and volume knob position, switching from RCA to TRS will boost volume by 50%.
 
@staticV3 thank you for the quick reply!

So in theory (if I understood this correctly) I could still benefit from potentially getting a bit less distorsion from BAL IN/BAL OUT for just being able to run my amp in a low gain vs medium/high gain to get same volume from RCA DAC/AMP link
 
Hi @
Hey everyone, hope you're all doing well! I've got a question about my upcoming stack setup. I've gone ahead and ordered the A50 III + D50 III + Balanced TRS Cable, but after taking a closer look at the specs for BAL IN/BAL OUT, I'm starting to second-guess myself about not getting an RCA cable instead. I had this idea that for the best results with balanced output, the whole DAC-AMP chain should be balanced. I know the differences are probably inaudible, but I just want to make sure I'm getting my money's worth for balanced setup...
apos-audio-topping-headphone-amp-topping-a50-iii-desktop-headphone-amp-40019479462124_1200x1800.jpg
So, would any of you recommend ditching BAL IN/BAL OUT in favor of SE IN/BAL OUT to drive my Sennheiser HD 800S? Thanks a bunch in advance! And sorry if this has already been discussed somewhere else - I couldn't find any info on it

Hi there.
I was at exactly the same crossroads. I ordered both cables and to be honest I did not perceive any difference when using trs balanced vs RCA for inputs. So I ended up sticking with RCA because OCD of course.

1716418558989.jpeg


Yes it’s a fingerprint magnet :)

I upgraded from a Fiio k5 pro ess, and I’m enjoying the combo so much. Dynamics improved, added a bit more soundstage and now I noticed a small veil on the k5. But will keep for office use.

Here’s the link for the cable if you’re interested:


Enjoy !
 
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A 12 gauge interconnect? Why? Or is that the entire cable gauge?
That’s a 12 gauge RCA cable. Why? Because I am a newbie learning of course :facepalm:
TBH just bought for the convenient length & fast shipping. I don’t believe it’ll damage the combo, but I can always return to TRS
 
Hi @vogam! Welcome to ASR.

Effectively, the only difference between D50->RCA->A50 and D50->TRS->A50 will be in loudness.

With the A50 set to the same gain and volume knob position, switching from RCA to TRS will boost volume by 50%.

I know the older A50s would get louder with 4V on the input. But the specs from the A50 III imply they go to full power regardless if its RCA or TRS as long as you are using the BAL headphone output. Or do you think they are measuring the SE RCA IN with 4V as well?
 

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Also I just noticed on that spec sheet the "Input sensitivity" in high gain is 1.9Vrms on both RCA and TRS. Does that mean all it needs is 2V to get the top power output? If thats true, seems there is no advantage with TRS over RCA except eliminating ground loops?
 
I know the older A50s would get louder with 4V on the input. But the specs from the A50 III imply they go to full power regardless if its RCA or TRS as long as you are using the BAL headphone output. Or do you think they are measuring the SE RCA IN with 4V as well?
Not sure I understand.

Never did I say that the A50's maximum power is affected by which input you use.

Just that when switching inputs w/o touching the A50's gain and volume controls, you will experience a jump in volume due to TRS Line out typically being 6dB louder than RCA.

Correct, the A50III will output full power with Bal out, regardless of input.

Also I just noticed on that spec sheet the "Input sensitivity" in high gain is 1.9Vrms on both RCA and TRS. Does that mean all it needs is 2V to get the top power output?
Yes.
 
Got it, thank for the info. I am just debating about a powerful headphone amp for my Mac mini M2. I am going to use the built in 3.5mm to output to RCA of the amp, since its got decent measurements from L7audio, its the same Cirrus Logic chipset as in the Macbooks Pro M1/2/3. I was looking at the A50s and noticed it wont get as loud due to needing 4V and the mac only outputting 3V max. I guess going to the A50 III is the solution to get full power due to the 2v sensitivity.

You think the sound from the mac DAC will be close to using the D50 III since its got decent measurements?
 
I did a little more research and it seems that Macs will only output 1v into line level input above 1kohm impedance, it wont be 3v that it can put into 150-1000 ohm headphones. So it seems it wont be full power on the amp alone, I will have to grab the D50 III as well.
 
I did a little more research and it seems that Macs will only output 1v into line level input above 1kohm impedance, it wont be 3v that it can put into 150-1000 ohm headphones. So it seems it wont be full power on the amp alone, I will have to grab the D50 III as well.
Please buy a $15 multimeter to confirm this theory yourself, before you spend $200+ on a DAC.

FWIW, this review shows 2Vrms output at 100kΩ load impedance:
https://www.l7audiolab.com/f/mbp162021/
 
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