FiiO K7 DAC efficient connectivity with multiple devices

[buBleZ]

Hi All,
I am trying to learn the world of quality music with the following acquired recently. I need some help with right connectivity for the DAC

FiiO K7 DAC - https://fiio.com/k7
Koss Pro 4AA headphones - https://www.amazon.in/Koss-Pro-4AA-Studio-Quality-Headphones/dp/B00004Z7G9

I have the following from my existing setup
1) Desktop PC
2) Edifier S3000 pro - https://www.edifier.com/product-s3000-pro.html#spec
3) Echo dot with 3.5 mm stereo output

I intend to introduce the DAC in my setup as below and have some queries

1. Connect Koss HP to PO 6.5mm output of DAC
2. Connect Edifier XLR ports to 4.4mm balanced output of DAC
3. Connect PC to USB of DAC
4. Connect Echo dot 3.5mm to RCA line in of DAC
5. Connect LG CX to optical input of DAC

Now my questions are,
Is #2 above worth it? Spending significant money for 4.4mm to XLR cables will it improve the quality over the inbuilt DAC/Amp of Edifier S3000 pro?
If not worth it, instead shall I use the RCA lineout of the DAC to connect to Edifier S3000 pro?

 

[PTP]

Hi All,
I am trying to learn the world of quality music with the following acquired recently. I need some help with right connectivity for the DAC

FiiO K7 DAC - https://fiio.com/k7
Koss Pro 4AA headphones - https://www.amazon.in/Koss-Pro-4AA-Studio-Quality-Headphones/dp/B00004Z7G9

I have the following from my existing setup
1) Desktop PC
2) Edifier S3000 pro - https://www.edifier.com/product-s3000-pro.html#spec
3) Echo dot with 3.5 mm stereo output

I intend to introduce the DAC in my setup as below and have some queries

1. Connect Koss HP to PO 6.5mm output of DAC
2. Connect Edifier XLR ports to 4.4mm balanced output of DAC
3. Connect PC to USB of DAC
4. Connect Echo dot 3.5mm to RCA line in of DAC
5. Connect LG CX to optical input of DAC

Now my questions are,
Is #2 above worth it? Spending significant money for 4.4mm to XLR cables will it improve the quality over the inbuilt DAC/Amp of Edifier S3000 pro?
If not worth it, instead shall I use the RCA lineout of the DAC to connect to Edifier S3000 pro?

Use a good quality rca from k7 to s3000.

 

[buBleZ]

Use a good quality rca from k7 to s3000.

You mean 4.4mm balanced output to edifier RCA or RCA out of K7 to edifier RCA input ?

Sorry beginner here. I have a RCA to RCA cable that came along with Edifier. Not sure if it meets "good". what is good?

 

[PTP]

You mean 4.4mm balanced output to edifier RCA or RCA out of K7 to edifier RCA input ?

Sorry beginner here. I have a RCA to RCA cable that came along with Edifier. Not sure if it meets "good". what is good?

Use the rca out from your dac for connecting the speakers.
For the time being you start with the stock cables received along with s3000. Listen to it and after some days or months you may get an itch to upgrade something in your setup. During that time you may upgrade to a more expensive rca from mogami or qed or chord etc and from then the upgrade cycle repeats itself but with other components in your setup.

 

[buBleZ]

Use the rca out from your dac for connecting the speakers.
For the time being you start with the stock cables received along with s3000. Listen to it and after some days or months you may get an itch to upgrade something in your setup. During that time you may upgrade to a more expensive rca from mogami or qed or chord etc and from then the upgrade cycle repeats itself but with other components in your setup.

Thanks. With the RCA <-> RCA connection I assume I select the "Pre" mode in the DAC to utilize the amplifier of S3000?

Also can I assume no benefit going with balanced 4.4mm to XLR(vs RCA to RCA) because balanced is only help noise over long cable distances where as in my setup Speakers and DAC are next to each other?

 

[PTP]

Thanks. With the RCA <-> RCA connection I assume I select the "Pre" mode in the DAC to utilize the amplifier of S3000?

Also can I assume no benefit going with balanced 4.4mm to RCA(vs RCA to RCA) because balanced is only help noise over long cable distances where as in my setup Speakers and DAC are next to each other?

Use LO mode wherein you get fixed volume out from the DAC and you can adjust volume through speakers. Pre is for preamp mode.

Regarding XLR, theoritically what you mentioned is right and even I believe in the same theory. Any FM experienced in XLR interconnects could guide you better on that regard. But I can guarantee you that you're not missing out on anything without XLR in your existing setup.

 

[buBleZ]

Use LO mode wherein you get fixed volume out from the DAC and you can adjust volume through speakers. Pre is for preamp mode.

Regarding XLR, theoritically what you mentioned is right and even I believe in the same theory. Any FM experienced in XLR interconnects could guide you better on that regard. But I can guarantee you that you're not missing out on anything without XLR in your existing setup.

One more query. Following is the diagram from fiio website on K7. Have I marked the LO and PRE correctly there? Basically both are before amplifier but LO is before volume control

 

[PTP]

One more query. Following is the diagram from fiio website on K7. Have I marked the LO and PRE correctly there? Basically both are before amplifier but LO is before volume control

Yes, you have marked them correctly

 

[newnikonian]

Hi @buBleZ Hope your Headphone and DAC journey is continuing. I am interested in your feedback and experience FiiO K7.... How this compares with Fiio BTA30 PRO if we take the Amp out of the equation....

 

[chillumphile]

@jojokispotta