Single ended to XLR adapter

I agree with Albertporter that adding adaptors simpy adds more connection points (and opportunity for degradation).

That said, if it were me, I'd have to know just to satisfy my own curiousity.

If you want to do a cheap experiment, go to Markertek (www.markertek.com) and purchase a set of interconnects that have RCAs on one end, and XLRs on the other. A pair will set you back about $15. The connectors are fairly high quality--they appear to be Canare and the cable itself is probably Belden.

I was using this from my Marantz SA 8260 SACD player to feed my balance input on my BAT VK3i pre-amp until I built my own custom interconnects. Truth to be told, I couldn't discern a difference of any significance, but my ears are 43 years old.

Even if it is a "pseudo-balanced" setup, it very easily could sound better balanced. I really doubt that is has anything to do with the actual connector used. But if it also has RCA connectors in addition to the XLRs, I do not think it will help matters any to muck around with adaptors. Unless, as Albert said, you just happen to have a really good set of XLR cables sitting around, not being used.

Hey, my ears are older, and Albert's older stiil................

I have a similar problem: BAT VK 200 amp w/balanced inputs connected with RCA cables via XLR adaptors, connected to a single ended Joule Electra LA 150 preamp.

My previous setup was all balanced/XLR (BAT amp to a BAT VK 30 balanced pre). Even though I'm no longer connected via balanced cables, my sound via my new Joule Electra pre far surpasses my previous balanced setup (BAT to BAT).

Has anyone tried using cables that are single ended on one end and balanced on the other? I don't see many options via the used market on the Gon, however, I would think it would be an improvement over using an XLR adaptor. I don't know the answer, but maybe others have experience or input regarding this subject. It has to be a common problem.

Bravo, I was entertaining myself by reading the replies of the your local “audio glitz intelligencia” and was laughing. The Balanced and Purist make wonderful adaptors that have no sonic affect, however, to experiment with adaptors in your case is like water the room flowers when the entire house on fire. I do not wonder what have made to you look for the “ornamentations” to your JC-1 but I rather wonder what made you to get this amp in the first pace. What kind sick and twisted vision of music/sound you have that convinced you once to bring that Parasound’s frequency pusher in your home? (Actually I know the answer…) I do not think you need any adapters; instead you should invest some time to educate yourself about what purpose, goals and abilities of sound reproduction might be. Really, in your case Audio will start from getting rid of that Moronic JC-1 amplifier.

“...but my ears are 43 years old.”

You child, you! What are you doing visiting adult sites like Audiogon? Go do your homework.
XLR-RCA-XLR-RCA-XLR-RCA...why, you’ll go blind or get hairy palms if you keep that up.

Now that the children have left the room...as far as the question posed above: I have used RCA-to-XLR adapters to connect an ARC SP-8 (only RCA) and Pass X-600s (only XLR, fully balanced design) for a brief time. (Previously, my preamp was a Pass X-1, a balanced design.) The sound was different because of introducing a tube unit into the system but the Pass amps still played like gangbusters. I guess it’ll come down to whether one is pleased with the sound they are getting. It does seem logical though, that the more “links” you have in any connection, the more chance of some sound degradation.

By the way guys, this “tube thing” is rather nice. I almost have the courage to try it also at the amp end. (Sorry for the brief hijack, Braro.)

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