I think you will be better off to use a RCA Y connector and forget about converting the XLR output.
XLR to RCA output conversion on Benchmark DAC1
I've all but decided to pull the trigger on a Benchmark DAC1 HDR. It's got two sets of outputs, balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA. I will need to use the Benchmark as a preamp, controlling volume sent to 1) an integrated tube amp and 2) a pair of powered subs in stereo.
Both the amp and the subs have only RCA inputs, so I'll need to convert the XLR output on the DAC1 to unbalanced. In the owner's manual, Benchmark says "If the balanced XLR outputs are wired to an unbalanced input (using a special adapter cable), pin 3 must be left floating. Shorting pin 3 to ground will increase the temperature of the output drivers, will increase power consumption, and may cause distortion."
All the adapter manufacturers I have found to date (including Cardas) indicate that the 3 pin is tied to ground, but Blue Jeans Cable will make an interconnect with custom terminations that should fit the bill.
Question is: should better results come from using the converted XLR output to send signal to the amp, or to the subs? Once converted, of course, the XLR output will travel unbalanced. I know that XLR output voltage levels are higher than unbalanced ones, but the Benchmark has an internal jumper to attenuate the level of the XLR out. I can further use the volume control on the subs and the volume on the integrated to fine-tune the relative levels. The interconnect run from the DAC to the subs is 5-6 feet; to the amp is 1.5 feet.
Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
Both the amp and the subs have only RCA inputs, so I'll need to convert the XLR output on the DAC1 to unbalanced. In the owner's manual, Benchmark says "If the balanced XLR outputs are wired to an unbalanced input (using a special adapter cable), pin 3 must be left floating. Shorting pin 3 to ground will increase the temperature of the output drivers, will increase power consumption, and may cause distortion."
All the adapter manufacturers I have found to date (including Cardas) indicate that the 3 pin is tied to ground, but Blue Jeans Cable will make an interconnect with custom terminations that should fit the bill.
Question is: should better results come from using the converted XLR output to send signal to the amp, or to the subs? Once converted, of course, the XLR output will travel unbalanced. I know that XLR output voltage levels are higher than unbalanced ones, but the Benchmark has an internal jumper to attenuate the level of the XLR out. I can further use the volume control on the subs and the volume on the integrated to fine-tune the relative levels. The interconnect run from the DAC to the subs is 5-6 feet; to the amp is 1.5 feet.
Thanks in advance for your thoughts.