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Post by sahmen on Sept 18, 2015 9:37:03 GMT -5
I have my DC-1 (serving as DAC/Pre-amp) connected to a Mac mini, and a pair of Airmotivs 5s speakers in a small desktop near-field 2-channel system in my study, The Airmotivs are connected via the XLR outputs on the DC-1, and I am using the 1 set of remaining analog RCA outputs on the DC-1 for a sub (the x-ref 12), and I have to say, that for 2-channel purposes, and the occasional movie on my desktop configuration, this system kicks some serious backside and then some.
My problem is that I need to connect an outboard headphone amp to the DC-1 (yes,one that is more powerful than the HP amp on the DC -1 for my more difficult to drive planars) for nightly listening purposes, but I am currently out of analog outputs on the DC-1 (The XLR outputs go to the Airmotivs, and the RCA outs go the X-Ref 12). Currently I am thinking that, at least in theory, I could split the signal from either the XLR or the RCA outputs, with some kind of Y-splitter, which would enable me to send a pair of L + R analog feeds to the external Headphone amplifier, but I am not sure whether this is a great idea, as I have not done this before.). Obviously, I could go the way of pulling the RCA output cables out of tub and feeding them to my external HPA whenever I need to use the headphones, but this is a rather cumbersome method I would like to avoid if possible. So my question is whether there is a more elegant solution to this problem using some form of Y-splitter or analog connection switch option (whether XLR or unbalanced RCA, but I'd prefer the XLR solution, if possible)...
One more unrelated question (lol, as if the one I have already asked is not enough) : is there any advantage to using the control freak to control the volume on the DC-1, as opposed to using the DC-1's own volume control itself?
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Post by creimes on Sept 18, 2015 9:55:41 GMT -5
I would split the RCA out and as far as a Control Freak I would just use the volume control of the DC-1
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Post by AudioHTIT on Sept 18, 2015 9:58:31 GMT -5
Just a thought, some subs have the ability to send the signal on through to the main speakers, usually RCA, I don't know if the X-Ref 12 can do this. If so your setup would be something like:
DC-1 RCA > X-Ref 12 > Airmotive 5S
DC-1 XLR > HP Amp > Planar cans
I don't see a problem using a splitter if that doesn't work, or any advantage to the control freak over the DC-1 directly.
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Post by creimes on Sept 18, 2015 10:04:53 GMT -5
Just a thought, some subs have the ability to send the signal on through to the main speakers, usually RCA, I don't know if the X-Ref 12 can do this. If so your setup would be something like: DC-1 RCA > X-Ref 12 > Airmotive 5S DC-1 XLR > HP Amp > Planar cans I don't see a problem using a splitter if that doesn't work, or any advantage to the control freak over the DC-1 directly. That's a great idea but the Emotiva subs only have inputs |
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Post by sahmen on Sept 18, 2015 10:58:45 GMT -5
I would split the RCA out and as far as a Control Freak I would just use the volume control of the DC-1 Thanks, Chad : It's good to know that splitting the RCA out is a safe option. |
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Post by jefft51 on Sept 18, 2015 11:00:48 GMT -5
The X-Ref12 does have an XLR output. I've used it to daisy chain subs. I'm not sure if you can input via RCA and use that output but you could pass through using the XLR.
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Post by creimes on Sept 18, 2015 11:02:55 GMT -5
The X-Ref12 does have an XLR output. I've used it to daisy chain subs. I'm not sure if you can input via RCA and use that output but you could pass through using the XLR. That's only a mono signal though  |
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Post by sahmen on Sept 18, 2015 11:20:01 GMT -5
Just a thought, some subs have the ability to send the signal on through to the main speakers, usually RCA, I don't know if the X-Ref 12 can do this. If so your setup would be something like: DC-1 RCA > X-Ref 12 > Airmotive 5S DC-1 XLR > HP Amp > Planar cans I don't see a problem using a splitter if that doesn't work, or any advantage to the control freak over the DC-1 directly. AudioHTIT : The X-REF 12 can indeed send the signal on, but it does so only to another Sub, or other subs, I think. But what you have said just gave me an idea which I hadn't thought of before : The Headphone amp I have in mind (the AudioGD NFB1amp), can also double as a pre-amp with a pair each of both XLR and RCA outputs, so I am wondering whether I might set up a chain like the following: Either, Planar Cans (via front 4-pin XLR) / 1. DC1 XLR > HP Amp XLR > Using this option, the two RCAs on the DC1 would go directly to the X-Ref 12. \ Airmotivs 5s Or RCA -->> X-Ref 12 / 2. DC1 RCA > HP AMP Using this option, the two XLR outputs on the DC-1 would feed the Airmotivs directly. \ 4-pin XLR ---> Planar Cans Both these methods use the Audiogd headphone amp as an analog connection switch that can feed one (or one set of) extra component (s), although, if both would work, I would choose the first option. Let me know what you think. Thanks again. |
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KeithL
Administrator 
Posts: 10,261
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Post by KeithL on Sept 18, 2015 11:20:37 GMT -5
Another possibility would be to choose an external headphone amplifier that has a "passthrough" output you can connect to your speakers....
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Post by sahmen on Sept 18, 2015 11:29:43 GMT -5
That would work - and there are lots of other options. Assuming that your headphone amp has balanced inputs, and that you don't want to have it turned on to listen to the speakers, and your cable runs aren't too long, then I would connect the balanced outputs from the DC-1 to the headphone amp's input, and run the unbalanced outputs from the DC-1 to both the sub and the Airmotivs through a pair of splitters. Another, and even better, option would be to use an actual passive crossover to split the signal between the Airmotivs and the sub. You connect the unbalanced outputs on the DC-1 to the inputs on the crossover, then connect the Airmotivs and the sub to the appropriate OUTPUTS on the crossover. A passive crossover like this should do the job nicely - and the two way model, which is the one you need, is about $50. www.hlabs.com/products/crossovers/index_files/Page384.htmAnother possibility would be to choose an external headphone amplifier that has a "passthrough" output you can connect to your speakers.... Keith: Do you mean as in option 1 in the previous post? i.e. Planar Cans (via front 4-pin XLR) / 1. DC1 XLR > HP Amp XLR > Using this option, the two RCAs on the DC1 would go directly to the X-Ref 12. \ Airmotivs 5s The AudioGD NFB1amp is also a pre-amp with two XLR outputs which can feed the Airmotivs. The only potential issue I am seeing here is that the HPAmp would have to be turned on whenever I am using the system, even without headphones. I am not sure that it can pass the signal through without being turned on. |
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Post by AudioHTIT on Sept 18, 2015 15:47:08 GMT -5
Just a thought, some subs have the ability to send the signal on through to the main speakers, usually RCA, I don't know if the X-Ref 12 can do this. If so your setup would be something like: DC-1 RCA > X-Ref 12 > Airmotive 5S DC-1 XLR > HP Amp > Planar cans I don't see a problem using a splitter if that doesn't work, or any advantage to the control freak over the DC-1 directly. AudioHTIT : The X-REF 12 can indeed send the signal on, but it does so only to another Sub, or other subs, I think. But what you have said just gave me an idea which I hadn't thought of before : The Headphone amp I have in mind (the AudioGD NFB1amp), can also double as a pre-amp with a pair each of both XLR and RCA outputs, so I am wondering whether I might set up a chain like the following: Either, Planar Cans (via front 4-pin XLR) / 1. DC1 XLR > HP Amp XLR > Using this option, the two RCAs on the DC1 would go directly to the X-Ref 12. \ Airmotivs 5s Or RCA -->> X-Ref 12 / 2. DC1 RCA > HP AMP Using this option, the two XLR outputs on the DC-1 would feed the Airmotivs directly. \ 4-pin XLR ---> Planar Cans Both these methods use the Audiogd headphone amp as an analog connection switch that can feed one (or one set of) extra component (s), although, if both would work, I would choose the first option. Let me know what you think. Thanks again. So with option 1 you now have the disadvantage of two volume controls in the path (if it's true when you said it could be a 'preamp'), and probably an extra line stage. You could look at this as an advantage that would let you fine tune levels between your AM5s and the Sub. Now if the HP Amp has fixed outputs, then there may just be some buffering and that might be a good solution - though I might still use the splitter. I like option 2 better because your mains have a shorter signal path, and you can still adjust sub balance with the HP amp. Keith's idea is good too, and may be similar to what you've drawn IF your HP outputs are fixed and not variable. |
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