Have a non-Apex Bartok feeding a Conrad-Johnson ART88 preamplifier via the RCA outputs.
Just read the posts on this subject and remain a bit uncertain.
Think Ive read someplace that the balanced outputs on Bartok are discreet circuits vs the op-amp unbalanced outs. So, I tried some Cardas converters from my XLR outputs to the RCA cables connecting the Preamp. While the volume is a bit lower even with the 6 volt setting on the DAC, the sound quality has clearly improved a nice step so prefer to run the Bartok that way… unless I’m doing some damage to the Bartok. The volume is actually in a better range for the preamp as well.
Am I okay using the Cardas XLR TO RCA converters on Bartok?
These adapters generally just pass the “hot” and “ground” legs of the XLR to the RCA (leaving the “cold” leg unused) so although not an ideal use of the XLR output they won’t cause any damage to the Bartok itself.
Which is presumably why @Coppy noticed the reduction in volume. Discarding half the balanced signal loses half the voltage swing at each voltage output setting.
But I wonder why I’ve perceived an increase in sound quality from the XLR outputs. Better bass, depth of field and detail. Is the balanced output really that much better than the RCAs, even eliminating half the signal? Maybe more preamp friendly impedance.
The output impedance of the balanced output is an order of magnitude lower than the single ended (3Ω vs 52Ω) which helps when driving amps with low input impedances or very long interconnects. However unless you have one of those two factors I suspect the sound quality improvement is more likely a result of the improved circuit built with discrete transistors vs opamps.
Ah yes… And the better circuit on the XLRs was the reason to try the connectors. Suppose I’d also better get going and have the Apex change done as well.
