Switchers - How to properly connect multiple amps to one DAC output

Discussion in 'Headphone Amplifiers and Combo (DAC/Amp) Units' started by rhythmdevils, Nov 7, 2020.

  1. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    the word on the street is probably not. You should get an iso max PI-2XR to convert from balanced to single ended then use an RCA switcher. Or an XLR switcher and then the iso max.
     
  2. Noodlz

    Noodlz Almost "Made"

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    @fastfwd thanks! Actually this looks like exactly what I need! @rhythmdevils since the rolls is powered/active this should be safe right?

    edit: hmm looking closer it looks like I would be able to down convert the modius XLR to only 1 rca out, the other side is a separate chain that can up convert rca to XLR, so I’d still need an rca switcher.

    so maybe it’s choosing between the Jensen isomax or the rolls to convert the XLR signal, then get a rca switcher. I wish there was an all in one solution since I’m running out of space on the table lol
     
    Last edited: Mar 24, 2021
  3. gixxerwimp

    gixxerwimp Professional tricycle rider

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    I bought the Nobsound 3-IN-1-OUT XLR Audio Switch to switch between balanced outputs of my DACs for LCv1 (saw that GoldenSound and the Schiiter were using them, so it had to be decent right?). Which got me thinking again about whether the grounds on the SE switcher were actually separate or not.

    Turns out that I actually have a different switch with 1-to-1 connections for +/- to all the RCA pairs. The one above is the EZ-3003-800, which has all the grounds tied together on the PCB. I actually have the EZ-4003-800 which has 16 pins and no PCB.
    https://www.aliexpress.com/item/33040134721.html
    [​IMG]


    When I checked the outputs, the grounds of the 2 outputs with DACs connected were tied, but the one that wasn't connected wasn't. The grounds of the switcher were independent, but the outputs of the DACs were tied somehow. After some fiddling and thinking, I turns out that the XLR switcher is tying ground (pin 1) of the DACs together. I guess this is the same ground as the sleeves on the RCA outputs of the DACs. I'm not getting any humming or noise, so I guess I don't have any ground loops. I did have some weird behaviour when I connected both SE and XLR from one DAC to LCv1.

    So the grounds of the SE outputs of my DACs are tied together, but through their balanced outputs (via the XLR switcher) rather than inside the SE switcher. Is this any better? Or problematic in any way?

    Hope this makes sense. It's getting a bit convoluted, and also off topic ...
     
  4. dBel84

    dBel84 Friend

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    Tying grounds together is a common practice. People like to keep them seperate to limit crosstalk but most every component is going to have a common ground plane. From a diy perspective, I typically keep the grounds separated until after the volume pot but have joined them at the input for some builds.

    So in short, it will not make a huge difference to the sound or signal (unless one of the components attached to the switcher has a lot of noise pollution, but then you have other fish to fry)

    .. dB
     
  5. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    I just opened mine and took pictures of the inside. Anyone have any thoughts? Even if the design is well done I’d still want occ copper wiring and an elma switcher just because I’m compulsive.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  6. Inoculator

    Inoculator Friend

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    I had Khozmo Acoustic build me exactly that, was an XLR switch with Elma switch, was pretty amazing stuff. Listing when I sold it when I no longer had the need https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649624482-khozmo-acoustic-passive-xlr-output-switch-1-in-3-out/
     
  7. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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  8. ColdsnapBry

    ColdsnapBry Almost "Made"

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    If I got one of those aliexpress rca boxes, how would I be able to A/B test two DACs with windows? I'd be able to switch between them on the aliexpress box, but I would have to change the sound output in windows too from DAC A to DAC B. There's probably a way to have windows output as both? I'm wondering how reviewers do this...
     
  9. Erroneous

    Erroneous Friend

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    Get a pi2aes and Roon. Install Ropiee on Pi2aes. Roon will blast sound out of all outputs simultaneously. Connect an output to each DAC and get ready to start winning.
    This doesn't help you do it with Windows, but it does jump up your playback game.
     
  10. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    I just updated the first post with a very nice looking switcher from Mapletree Audio. Available with any number of in/outs and in both SE and XLR.

    Balanced XLR

    custom number ins/outs


    custom high quality from Mapletree Audio available with any number of ins/outs. This is probably the best most transparent option. But not confirmed.

    LR-1 Pro

    [​IMG]

    “LR 1 Pro Line Router - This is a balanced signal version of the LR 1. The standard model can switch up to 3 inputs and 3 outputs. Additional I/O can be accommodated using special multi-deck rotary switches. XLR connectors are Neutrik gold-plated type with locking tabs on the female version. switches are Lorlin or C&K enclosed rotary types with silver-plated contacts, and wiring is silver-plated stranded copper with Teflon insulation.”​


    SE RCA:

    Custom number of ins/outs

    custom high quality from Mapletree Audio
    available with any number of ins/outs

    LR-1

    [​IMG]

    “LR 1 Line Router - The standard version is designed to switch one of up to three input stereo signals to one of up to three outputs. Other configurations are available to handle up to 6 inputs and/or outputs. Chassis sizes are chosen to accommodate the required I/O connections. As with all the Mapletree switching components, RCA jacks are high quality gold plated with inside and outside hex nuts, switches are Lorlin or C&K enclosed rotary types with silver-plated contacts, and wiring is silver-plated stranded copper with Teflon insulation.”​
     
  11. ShaneD

    ShaneD Facebook Friend

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    I love mine, but I had to change my switch after a month. I contacted them through Amazon and they sent a new switch right out. Easy change out. I also have the SE version to run my Schiit Loki to all three amps.
     
  12. mk801

    mk801 Almost "Made"

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    Yeah, the switch is iffy quality. Mine developed channel imbalance a little less than two years of use. 1.5 years in, I noticed how the middle position developed a slight channel imbalance that can be corrected by playing around with the knob. A few days ago, the leftmost position developed channel imbalance that no amount of fiddling with the knob can fix. At least it is pretty cheap.
     
  13. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    It also feels like grinding metal when you flip the switch. Compared to an Elna switch, which feels like sex.
     
  14. ShaneD

    ShaneD Facebook Friend

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    Mine went after just a month. If you wanted to hear amp # 2, you had to set the switch to 1.5, kind of in between grooves. Then it happened to # 3 also. I opened it up and checked all the connections, but they seemed fine. Anyway the new switch fixed it.

    I am thinking about maybe selling my LP and then I would likely sell this.
     
  15. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    I spent far too much money on an SPL Expansion Rack, because I really wanted the matching aesthetics and the ability to rack mount my Phonitor. Fortunately, the quality is good. No degradation as far as I can tell, and the action is very smooth and pleasant.
     
  16. gixxerwimp

    gixxerwimp Professional tricycle rider

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    How considerate of them to print the labels in both orientations so you can read them easily if looking at the rear panel while standing in front of the device.

    [​IMG]
     
  17. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    Really makes you wish more people did it that way.
     
  18. jnak00

    jnak00 Friend

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    I bought of one of the Mapletree Audio LR1 switchers that @rhythmdevils mentioned above. I got two inputs and three outputs, to connect my Bifrost 2/Mani to SW51+/Jotunheim 2/Aegir. Al from Mapletree seems like a really nice guy. really responsive, and gave me a Canadian-friendly price. This unit is normally $200 USD + shipping; he sold it to me for $220 CAD shipped.

    The packaging made me laugh - the box was repurposed from something else (it had an old shipping label Sharpied out). I opened it up and part of the packing material he used was an old Amazon bubble envelope. The unit itself was wrapped nicely in bubble wrap. Anyway, no unboxing vid because I don't care for fancy packaging or any of that stuff.

    It's a nicely built metal box with wooden side panels. The wood is decent but if you're expecting ZMF quality wood you'll be disappointed. For the price they are perfectly acceptable. I got the maple panels which I wasn't expecting to be quite so light in colour. It looks a bit darker in person compared to the pictures. The switches have a nice feel to them, nothing too sexy but functional and solid. Same with the RCA connectors. The whole thing is quite utilitarian but well built. It's a bit smaller than I expected and kind of cute.

    As for sound quality, I guess the only thing I can say is that I don't hear any difference. A sharper ear than mine might hear something different, but it's pretty transparent to me.

    I'd say if you want something like this that's well built and not crazy priced, and not Chi-fi, this is a good choice.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  19. ShaneD

    ShaneD Facebook Friend

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    Al is a really nice guy. I bought a MAD Ear+ II from them. Not fancy, but a great little amp.
     
  20. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    So nice to see the little known Canadian brands make an appearance here!
     

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