My Rossini has significant distortion from the balanced outputs but not from the single ended outputs. Any ideas ?
Did you try lowering the output power? Maybe you’re outputting more than your amp likes.
I’m using my DAC with a Zähl HM1 headphone amp. It does have a rear gain switch, but with that on and my dCS DAC set to 6v it distorts. 6v is just too much for my amp with that gain switch set to on.
Yes, overdriving the input of your amp can definitely cause distortion. However, unlike some manufacturers who simply take one ’leg’ of their balanced output to make the single-ended one, dCS units generate each with completely separate circuits that actually present the same output voltage, so if SE is working fine I doubt that is the issue.
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Are you sure that the distortion that you are hearing is caused by the output of your Rossini or is the fault actually with the balanced input of the unit it is feeding? How have you checked?
So Andrew do you think it’s a problem with the balanced output circuit ? It’s definitely not the input of my preamp. I checked that.
It’s not impossible, but there maybe other things we can check first. Paging @Phil.
Hi @Mikeyaya
(Thanks @AndrewS ..)
We really don’t have enough information to be able to speculate as to what is going on here so can we start with…
What do you have the output voltage set to?
What do you have the Bartok connected to?
Does the distortion reduce if you reduce the output voltage or if you reduce the volume of the Bartok by - say - 20db?
Is the distortion in both channels?
If we can start there then we can move forward and try to identify the issue.
Best Regards
Phil
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Hi Phil. It’s a Rossini Apex. It is distorted on the 2 volt and the 6 volt setting. This came on suddenly from one day to the next. The unit is connected to a Nagra classic preamp. I tried all available connections and it is definitely coming from the balanced output of the Rossini. The RCA output appears normal I did a hard reboot but still no change
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The distortion is in both channels
It is also distorted in the .6 voltage setting.
Hi @Mikeyaya
I would suggest a check with another set of balanced cables if you have another set around but beyond that I would suggest that you contact your dCS dealer - they will be able to confirm the fault and arrange for repair if necessary.
Phil
I believe that you can expect a 3db increase in output in balanced over RCA
No, not with dCS DACS as they are engineered differently to most other brands.These brands use one leg of the balanced circuit to provide the SE output. In contrast dCS have distinct separate output circuits for SE ( RCA) or balanced. This allows them to have the same voltage output for both. There is no voltage difference between them.
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