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Sujay Rao
109
Aug 12, 2018
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Is this DAC “fully balanced” ?
I’m not an expert, but I have read that fully balanced is different from just balanced. One of the differences, I think, is that a fully balanced DAC has balanced inputs as well. It also has two completely independent systems for each channel, from input two output.
damien_chung
74
Aug 13, 2018
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Sujay RaoYes it is Fully balanced. it is unnessary for the usb or digital to be balanced
codlor
30
Aug 14, 2018
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Sujay RaoMost likely. All the flagship DAC ICs are differential on the output, could be from ESS (this device), TI, AKM, or anyone else. It requires an additional stage to sum these differential signals to make them single ended. The attached image is of TIs PCM1794 which is their flagship audio DAC, couldn't find ESS as they don't publish their datasheets to the public (probably requires a NDA). The circled area is the summing of just one channel, the other channel would be a carbon copy of the entire schematic. The left two opamps are for the I/V conversion as a lot of DACs output a current and not a voltage. So answering your question, I haven't seen a schematic or a pic of the internals but it's very likely completely balanced. Damien_chung and xx0x0 are both correct in that the digital side doesn't matter. Technically the digital side would be single ended, as there's only one ground, but there's only one signal.
Buri
10
Aug 16, 2018
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Sujay RaoI am a professional technician who designs broadcasting equipment.
Balanced transmission is superior to unbalance. Balanced transmission sounds better than unbalanced. This is all a lie. This may be what an audio critic somewhere without knowledge has said.
Balanced transmission of audio equipment for consumers is pseudo-balanced transmission, not balanced transmission in the true sense.
If you need balanced transmission, it is only necessary if you need to extend the cable more than 20 m.
Balanced transmission is superior to unbalance. Balanced transmission sounds better than unbalanced. This is all a lie. This may be what an audio critic somewhere without knowledge has said.
Balanced transmission of audio equipment for consumers is pseudo-balanced transmission, not balanced transmission in the true sense.
If you need balanced transmission, it is only necessary if you need to extend the cable more than 20 m.
Sujay Rao
109
Aug 16, 2018
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BuriThanks for the input. I have heard other prosources say the same thing. I guess because the balanced output is usually louder it has more presence. With a higher impedance headphone, the enhanced euphonics may create an illusion of “improvement”.
damien_chung
74
Aug 16, 2018
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Buriwell, usually balance connection provides more power. and for some cases like the schiit mjolnir, the balance connection has superior audio quality compared to single ended due to the manufacturing design
codlor
30
Aug 16, 2018
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damien_chungAgreed. Balanced designs are typically better not because the signal is balanced but because of the changes needed to the circuit typologies in order for it to be balanced. Seems cutting corners and cost reduction are minimized for balanced setups. That and the added power. Having an abundance of power usually means the power being supplied to the headphone has less distortion. Not like a single ended design couldn't do the same. Using 30% of the potential power will usually yield less distortion than say 80%. There are posts around the internet showing the linearity of certain amps and the ones I've seen have the distortion increase with power output, which is not surprising at all.
codlor
30
Aug 16, 2018
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BuriCorrect. Audible frequencies have wavelengths of kilometers so long studio cables already make inefficient antennas let alone very short headphone cables. Most of the audible noise is probably conducted emissions and not radiated. Any radiated emissions at that short of a cable would probably come from really close switching power supplies.
That being said, I have a headphone amp with balanced outputs. Audio is a hobby and I was curious. Same happened with tube amps, I don't think its better but I got one because I was curious.
That being said, I have a headphone amp with balanced outputs. Audio is a hobby and I was curious. Same happened with tube amps, I don't think its better but I got one because I was curious.
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