Will a RCA to RCA adapter hurt the sound?

MHO, if you're running esoteria equipment and you've got the 'ears' to hear such, you've already noticed...
But, agreed with the above comments, replace with full length when you can see doing so.  It's just more 'sanitary', less potential for needless noise to creep into the mix...
Shop around...I got a good deal at PE on some AV cables that I simply peeled off the 3rd line.  You get 3 pairs for the $ of 2, which made it an even better deal.  But the back of my equipment looks like an sea anemone, so mass quantities of cables made sense.  

thanks- I was able to move things around without having to use the adapter- thank you all for your help!!!

You are only as good as your weakest link, and that crap is all made in China.

*L*  It's getting to the point that the only things not made Elsewhere...

...is Us. ;)

Yes they will bad idea!!