Should I try balanced output on my new DAP; and if so, what cables/headphones/IEMs do I need?

Submitted by Ocean898 t3_11ar7mc in headphones

Hi folks. Recently bought a Shanling MO Pro and the balanced output dongle. Will I get better sound if I take advantage of the balanced output? Is there a way to try it relatively cheaply?

If so, could anyone make specific recommendations for a cable and headphones or IEMs? I think I need a cable with a male 4.4mm plug, but not really sure.

Sorry if these are dumb questions. I’m new to DAPs and IEMs, though I have a lot of traditional stereo equipment and a few over the ear headphones. Really enjoying my new entry level DAP.

Thanks, and have a great day!

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ThatGuyFromSweden t1_j9triwy wrote

If a device has both balanced and single-ended outputs, you should try to use the balanced one.

You need a cable that's wired for balanced use. Take a look at stores like Linsoul. You can specify most cables to have the appropriate connectors at both ends.

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o7_brother t1_j9v9cv5 wrote

>Will I get better sound if I take advantage of the balanced output?

No, just more power. Get a balanced cable if you find you are lacking volume.

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Ocean898 OP t1_j9x6vv7 wrote

Thanks folks! I have some IEMs that use a two prong plug, and think I’ll get a cable with 4.4 mm and try it out.

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Amaakaams t1_j9xckoz wrote

Replying to o7_brother (#1,974,598)

Well there is some give and take here. Balanced should probably used any chance people get. 1. While the audible effect is low, the science is accurate, balanced should give you a lower noise floor (even if any particular amp has a pretty low noise floor). 2. The implementation results in more power.

So yeah while I would say that assuming decent design matched between the choices, you aren't really going to be able to tell a difference. I think (without getting into silly snake oil about cabling since you can get balanced relatively cheap) there is a comfort in knowing you are cancelling out on noise along with the increase in power, giving you more confidence in your selection.

Note: I am mentioning because it has a Amp with balanced. I wouldn't suggest someone design their whole audio setup around the idea of going balanced. But a think a cable swap for an IEM (specially going with one with interchangeable connectors) is a value + option.

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smalg2 t1_j9zuj82 wrote

Replying to Amaakaams (#1,987,505)

> While the audible effect is low, the science is accurate, balanced should give you a lower noise floor (even if any particular amp has a pretty low noise floor).

While I'm definitely a noob on the matter, I think I've read somewhere that it should be the opposite: since balanced uses two amps per channel instead of one, with each amp introducing its own noise, the noise floor is basically doubled. So unless you're listening to double the volume just because you're using a balanced output, you'd end up with a lower SNR. Does that make sense? Maybe it's a balancing act (pun unintended) between amp and EMI noise?

Again, not pretending I know what I'm talking about, I'm just genuinely curious about this stuff.

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Amaakaams t1_j9zvjaj wrote

Replying to smalg2 (#2,003,073)

It works like ANC, which is inputting the same noise at an alternating frequency cancelling the original noise out (they use microphones to pick up the noise.

So in this case they use an alternating frequency to cancel out each other's noise leaving just the main audio package. So twice as much noise generated but it eliminated itself. The result is basically an emi shielded signal. Huge over simplification, probably using the wrong wording, and my interpretation of the science is probably a bit wrong. But yeah the two separate signals eliminate each other's noise.

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