Anybody use a single ended component with one that is balanced?

...Balanced pre & amp will provide 6db additional gain and reject noise. It's a clear advantage... 

Sometimes the added gain will show up as noise in your loudspeakers and you'll need to attenuate the gain. Balanced cables are most useful for long runs in noisy environments. There is nothing inferior about single ended connections.  

Don't put single ended and balanced cables in the same system, unless they are not differentially balanced.   All the benefits are lost if done like that.

Don't put single ended and balanced cables in the same system, unless they are not differentially balanced. 

I'm pretty sure the connection between components with balanced cables still works regardless of what is upstream or downstream. 

I have mixed single ended and balanced components for decades running single ended regardless of the design. I always had one or two pieces of Audio Research.

Over the last couple of years I acquired all new Audio Research Reference components. Since ARC recommends balanced. One by one, I slowly swapped single ended for balanced interconnects of the same brand. I was not committed to critical listening to the differences… but I didn’t notice a difference. I am sure it is there hidden in the sound somewhere. But, I sure wouldn’t prevent me from mixing or upgrading to a piece that is not… from Audio Research.

Yes, balanced is a bit louder… one small turn of the volume control, no difference in character or ability to play more loudly.

I am sure different companies components might act differently… it is all in the implementation of what ever is converted.

@ghdprentice 

I am sure different companies components might act differently… it is all in the implementation of what ever is converted.

Yep, as always seems to be the case regarding audio performance, implementation rules! Common mode noise rejection is an advantage for a balanced signal path. Yet a very strong case is made for the simplicity and fewer  parts approach of well designed single ended components. Some are capable of exquisite sound quality.

In my opinion you have to judge on an individual component/ audio system basis.

Charles