How to hook up your DAC and Amp - A Beginners' Guide

New to audio? I answer the most common questions about how to hook up an audio DAC and headphone amplifier, covering RCA, XLR, and even connections from portable gear that uses 3.5mm and 4.4mm connectors.
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Don't forget to read the FAQ! https://hear.audio/faq
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Various cables: (I may get a commission if you buy using these links)

Adaptor cables:
Amazon Basics 3.5mm to 2-Male RCA Adapter Audio Stereo Cable https://amzn.to/3TX7d6l
3.5 mm TRS to Dual RCA adaptor https://amzn.to/3TVElvd

High-quality adaptor cables (cheapest to most expensive):
Audioquest Tower 3.5mm to RCA 1.9 ft https://amzn.to/3VEBtUC
Audioquest Evergreen 3.5mm to RCA 1m https://amzn.to/3VvmjkC
AudioQuest Evergreen, 3.5mm to RCA Male Cable, 0.6-Meter/1.97 Feet https://amzn.to/3ISma3c
Audioquest Big SUR 0.6 m 3.5 mm to RCA https://amzn.to/3ISmm2q

RCA:
Monoprice 1.5ft RCA cables https://amzn.to/3TTV6H1
Amazon Basics RCA https://amzn.to/3PEMfGI

RCA (expensive):
AudioQuest 0.6M Tower RCA https://amzn.to/49f2Esp
AudioQuest Evergreen 1m RCA https://amzn.to/3J2tMQt
AudioQuest Golden Gate RCA 0.6m https://amzn.to/4cDtSfh
AudioQuest Big Sur RCA 0.6m https://amzn.to/3xlzfzi

XLR:
6 inch XLR cable set https://amzn.to/4axsyIR
Cable Matters 2-Pack Premium Short XLR https://amzn.to/49gstIC
Mogami Gold STUDIO-02 XLR (single cable) https://amzn.to/43xMOrH
Monolith XLR (single cable) https://amzn.to/3Q39fQ3

XLR (expensive):
AudioQuest - Red River (XLR, 1.0m) https://amzn.to/3TUFOlr
AudioQuest Mackenzie XLR https://amzn.to/499l7Xi
AudioQuest Yukon XLR https://amzn.to/4acTnlZ

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00:00 Introduction
00:56 RCA DAC to amp connection
05:32 XLR Balanced DAC to amp connection
11:10 Portable 3.5mm & 4.4mm connections