# XLR to RCA Output Adapters **URL:** \ **Category:** General\ **Created:** [June 8, 2026, 12:11pm UTC](https://forum.msbtechnology.com/t/xlr-to-rca-output-adapters/1278 "2026-06-08T12:11:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![TedWin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@TedWin](https://forum.msbtechnology.com/u/TedWin)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2026, 12:11pm UTC](https://forum.msbtechnology.com/t/xlr-to-rca-output-adapters/1278/1 "2026-06-08T12:11:29Z")
Following up on my query in the PALISADE DAC topic: Please can someone supply pictures of how these adapters work in a physical system ie actually plugged in and wired up. ![IMG_0670](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex003/uploads/msbtechnology/original/2X/c/c34c70d8fa7565ffad4efd9392e201e0db594abf.jpeg) This screen shot suggest “distance” is a good thing; that suggests the requirement for an extra XLR lead to add to my existing RCA cables. Clarification would be appreciated. PS this is a pre-enquiry to enable me to possibly acquiring a Palisade DAC in the future 🤞🤞 ---
**Author:** ![Bones13](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex003/user_avatar/forum.msbtechnology.com/bones13/32/244_2.png) [@Bones13](https://forum.msbtechnology.com/u/Bones13)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2026, 1:49pm UTC](https://forum.msbtechnology.com/t/xlr-to-rca-output-adapters/1278/2 "2026-06-08T13:49:18Z")
Your existing XLR cables would go from the DAC, and plug into the adapter. Then an RCA cable would run from the adapter to the Preamp, or amp. The “distance” reference is a quality of XLR cables, which are considered to be able to have less interference when long, as opposed to RCA cables. That’s why all the ‘Pro’ gear is balanced (xLR and TRS). Musicians tend to have long cables haphazardly placed, as they move venues all the time. ---
**Author:** ![matthewk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eada6e/32.png) [@matthewk](https://forum.msbtechnology.com/u/matthewk)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2026, 2:57pm UTC](https://forum.msbtechnology.com/t/xlr-to-rca-output-adapters/1278/3 "2026-06-08T14:57:21Z")
Single-ended is signal plus ground. Balanced adds a third conductor: an inverted copy of the signal. Both legs run together and pick up the same noise, so at the input the receiver subtracts one from the other. The music is equal and opposite on the two legs, so subtracting doubles it. The noise is identical on both legs, so subtracting cancels it. That is common-mode rejection, and it is the whole reason balanced exists. A passive XLR to RCA adapter throws that away. A true balanced source like the MSB puts half the signal voltage on each leg. The adapter uses only one leg, so you drop 6dB, literally half the signal. Worse, you lose all the noise rejection, and depending on how it handles the unused leg you can short the cold output and stress the stage. The right way uses both legs. MSB converts with a transformer in a separate inline unit, kept away from the DAC’s analog section. The transformer sees the full differential signal, so it keeps the whole thing and rejects common-mode noise on its own. A cheap adapter cable does neither. ---
**Author:** ![Dan](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex003/user_avatar/forum.msbtechnology.com/dan/32/39_2.png) [@Dan](https://forum.msbtechnology.com/u/Dan)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2026, 3:25pm UTC](https://forum.msbtechnology.com/t/xlr-to-rca-output-adapters/1278/4 "2026-06-08T15:25:29Z")
As far as RCA terminated cables for audio goes, it worth a few minutes to look at what Mr. Carlson has to say. Spoiler alert, he says they can be very quiet… [![](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex003/uploads/msbtechnology/original/2X/f/f617a85f191cfb2f1aae9392b4273f7f46ebaa0f.jpeg "The Best Cable - Wire For Audio? Let's Look Closer!") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5kU5SeaSQs&t=751s) Dan ---
**Author:** ![TedWin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@TedWin](https://forum.msbtechnology.com/u/TedWin)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2026, 9:18pm UTC](https://forum.msbtechnology.com/t/xlr-to-rca-output-adapters/1278/5 "2026-06-08T21:18:49Z")
Thank you for the replies 👍 I guess I didn’t word my question too well … PS I have quite a simple system: Cd transport / DAC / integrated amp / speakers 1m Digital cable between cd & DAC 1.5m RCA interconnects between DAC and amp Single-wired speaker cables amp to speakers So no XLR cables at present > I just wanted to see how the MSB adapters would be installed in an actual system. Would I have to buy some XLR cable? OR do the adapters plug straight into balanced outputs on the DAC? NB I was not intending to open up the “good old” balanced (XLR) v. single-ended (RCA) “debate” 😳 I will see if I can contact MSB direct. No worries. ---
**Author:** ![Frank\_Vermeylen](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex003/user_avatar/forum.msbtechnology.com/frank_vermeylen/32/34_2.png) [@Frank\_Vermeylen](https://forum.msbtechnology.com/u/Frank_Vermeylen)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2026, 8:36am UTC](https://forum.msbtechnology.com/t/xlr-to-rca-output-adapters/1278/7 "2026-06-10T08:36:12Z")
Hi TedWin, Yes a balanced cable would be needed from the Palissade (or any MSB dac with a XLR output to these adaptors. Then you go with your actual RCA cable to the amp. Inside the adaptors the XLR converts to RCA and isolating the ground from the XLR so no noise goes back to the dac. If you do not use this isolation, half of the dac modules won’t work properly and your sound won’t be anywhere as good as it should be. So definitely needed. For all, this is the case with any MSB dac, so if you have single ended gear or not fully balanced gear, please do use these adaptors to have your dac work properly.