Hi, im a beginner in electronics and was wondering about differential audio signals.

This schematic shows the output stage of a DAC, I think the first pair of op amps are current to voltage conversion. After that are 2 outputs, a differential output and a single ended output, both have some low pass filtering also:

If you were to connect a pair of headphones to the single ended output, while not ideal, it would work like any other typical headphone amplifier.
what would happen if you were connect headphones to the differential output? would this be akin to connected them to a ''balanced'' headphone amplifier (with obviously very little power)?

 

The differential outputs are meant to be 180° apart. Hence instead of cancelling they would add.

The outputs are meant to drive a mixer board into another amplifier. This reduces the common mode signal thus improving signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).

The output impedance of the differential outputs are too high for headphones. You would barely hear anything, if anything at all.

 

The output impedance of the differential outputs are too high for headphones. You would barely hear anything, if anything at all.

Thanks for the reply.

OK, so a buffer (like a balanced amp) is needed for the both signals but it is compatible with a speaker/headphone driver i.e fully balanced amplifiers dont do convert the differential signals or anything?