The DAC might make a difference but the change to an XLR will not.

It is not the XLR connector that makes the difference; it is the BALANCED CABLE CONNECTION and the balanced CIRCUITRY in the equipment at both ends that happens to use XLR connectors that is the difference.

To have a balanced circuit, you need a source that puts out a balanced signal, a balanced cable, and an amplifier with balanced input circuitry to connect it to.

You have the amp with a balanced input.

What you need is a player like the OPPO BDP-105 that has a high-quality balanced output, to connect to it with a balanced cable.

Only then will you get the benefits of a balanced circuit.

P.S.- The OPPO BDP-105 has an excellent DAC built into it, as well as a dozen other circuits and features, and is one of the best sounding players you can buy for under $8K. It is a bargain at $1200.

detien wrote:

Hi all,

I currently play cd  from NAD 515 cd player rca output to NAD S300 Int. Amp rca output. I am wondering if by playing thru DAC's XLR balanced output  such as cambridge dacmagic plus or NAD D1050, would have any improvement on sound quality?

There are CD players that has XLR output but most are out of my budget. Since my amp takes XLR connection, I would like to try it out compare to RCA to see if there's any difference, better or worst or same.

Thanks,

Dennis