Why do most DACs come with RCA jacks they are inferior

[mansr]

A good DAC with single-ended (RCA) outputs is better than a bad one with XLR.

[mansr]

21 minutes ago, jabbr said:

So you admit there are bad DACs! 

Why would there not be bad DACs? I have several right here. One even has balanced outputs.

 

21 minutes ago, jabbr said:

I’ll take a good DAC with XLR outputs thank you ?

The best DAC within a specific budget may well have only single-ended outputs. It also depends a lot on how it will be used.

[mansr]

1 minute ago, Ralf11 said:

Balance connections greatly reduce noise from external sources.

Yes, but that only matters if external noise is a problem to begin with. That isn't always the case.

[mansr]

7 minutes ago, jabbr said:

Which do you consider bad? — just curious — and on SQ basis or technical basis or cost etc?

I'd consider bad anything with noise or distortion significantly worse than one would expect at a given price point.

 

7 minutes ago, jabbr said:

Sure. Trade offs in real world. The OP wants balanced which is fine. I have no issue with RCA in low noise environments.

The OP didn't articulate why he desires balanced outputs. Perhaps he doesn't actually need them and would be better served with a quality single-ended design.

[mansr]

10 hours ago, Speedskater said:

Actually he did. He wants to was balanced interconnects to his power amplifier.

Yes, but the only reason he gave for this was a GUTB-like "RCA sucks," which is oversimplifying things. But if he's happy with any old crap as long as it has balanced outputs, that's fine with me.

[mansr]

18 minutes ago, thefullranger said:

I never said RCA sucks

That is correct. You said RCA is awful.

[mansr]

My point is the same, RCA isn't necessarily awful. It can be, but so can XLR. It depends on the circumstances and the quality of the implementation. A single-ended design is easier to get right, within its constraints, and requires fewer parts. That's probably at least part of the reason it tends to be the only choice on budget equipment. Pro/studio equipment has to have balanced connections, so there they are present even on cheap models. That does not, however, make them good. I have a cheap (~$150) Steinberg audio interface that is terrible by any objective measure.

[mansr]

8 minutes ago, thefullranger said:

Well I just really want one with XLR and RCA and phantom power for a measurement mic and have no need for all the controls want a stripped down unit wih great sound quality and build quality without paying a lot of money say 300.00 or less 

I thought you said you were looking for a DAC. For a measurement mic interface, the $100 Focusrite Scarlett Solo might suit you. The $150 Scarlett 2i2 has balanced outputs. I don't have any personal experience with either of these, but I've heard generally good things about Focusrite. I believe @esldude uses a Focusrite interface, though I don't recall the model.

[mansr]

7 minutes ago, thefullranger said:

I'll look into that, thank you.. someone posted this unit on my first page and it looks really good, but never heard of them and am leary, plus it looks like I would be ordering from China or some place and have never done that and am leary of that too. everyone has heard of Focusrite.

 

shenzhenaudio.com/tempotec-fantasia-d-a-32bit-192khz-

It probably works just fine, provided a) it arrives at all, b) it arrives in one piece, and c) it stays in one piece. Any trouble at all, and you're on your own.

[mansr]

Just now, thefullranger said:

Scarlette solo and 2i2 both only have RCA 

The 2i2 has balanced TRS outputs. The Solo has RCA.

[mansr]

Just now, thefullranger said:

guess I looked at it wrong, anyway the 2i2 has 1/4" TRS balanced and could put that on one end of my cables to XLR balanced ? unless it is not good to do,  don't know but looks like the 2i2 may be what I get

You can get/make cables with TRS on one end and XLR on the other, no problem.

[mansr]

4 minutes ago, GeneZ said:

Look here...  That means?

 

System Requirement
Windows XP and XP2

Windows XP2? Sounds like something exclusively available from street hawkers in Shenzhen. Genuine, of course.