2. amps-preamps
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Help: getting around balanced inputs on pre/pro?

All:

Many of the best prepros need balanced input for 2 channel bypass. My cd/dvd doesn't have balanced output. My questions:
1)Obviously, I could use an rca/xlr adapter, or similarly a cable with rca and xlr connectors, but would that degrade performance?

2)Assuming the DAC's in my pre/pro (still to be purchased) are very good, can I can simply go digital in and use the pp's dac and get best 2 channel SQ?

3)I also have a Sonos with an Apogee MiniDac. The Apogee (great little dac btw) has balanced output, so I can use that through the bal inputs and improve that experience as well, right?

Just need to be clear before I pull trigger on used pre/pro purchase, as I want to get best 2 channel performance.

thanks Jeff
jeffkad

Showing 2 responses by jeffkad

jeffkad OP
211 posts
 
Ckoffend: sorry for the confusion but you got what I meant. However, it seems some of the best ones I'm looking at, Parasound Halo C2, Proceed AVP2+6, Classe SSP600, and I believe even the Cary Cinema 11 all have ONLY balanced input for their 2 channel pass-through (no processing, just preamp).

BTW, how did you like the Mac MX132? I have the possibility of picking up that one too, along with a Mac 7205 amp.

Thanks...Jeff
jeffkad OP
211 posts
 
I've looked more closely at the Cinema 11, and it does allow Input One to be deemed bypass and to use either rca or xlr. However, I also realized that this is the only input I can use to bypass processing, and I have both a cd/dvd (pioneer dv47a) and a Sonos via outboard dac (BelCanto or Apogee) that I want to run in bypass. I don't know if the Cinema's (or the Parasound C2's) dacs are as good as those found in my cd/dvd or the BC/Apogee. So unless there is a great pre/pro that allows several analogue inputs to bypass processing, or has a great dac, I'm starting to think that CKoffend and others who are preaching the virtues of running a sidecar 2 channel setup may be right. I can get a preamp or integrated that takes multiple inputs, and either use their HT Bypass or get the Niles amp switcher that switches on voltage signal, with default to my Pioneer vsx49tx receiver, so my kids don't get confused. Hmmmm.....
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