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

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

Balanced pre & amp will provide 6db additional gain and reject noise.

@sbank

If the balanced line standard is being observed, this should not happen!

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

If operating balanced and the volume winds up being higher, its a sign that the equipment does not support the balanced standard.

The reason this is so is because in a balanced system, the signal is generated without respect to ground; ground is just there for shielding and nothing else, quite unlike a single ended (RCA connection. But how many high end audio preamps do it is they have two single-ended outputs, one being out of phase with the other and both referencing ground to complete their independent circuits. So when you use a preamp like that single-ended and then go to balanced, you double the voltage being fed to the amp.

If OTOH the preamp is supporting the balanced standard, the output of the amplifier will not change because going from single-ended to balanced will result in exactly the same amount of voltage fed to the amp.

Two advantages of the balanced line system is freedom from ground loops since ground is ignored, and a lack of artifact (the ’sound’) of interconnect cables- they will be more neutral. Both of these aspects are lost if the preamp references ground to do its job.

If operating balanced and the volume winds up being higher, its a sign that the equipment does not support the balanced standard.

I’m not an electrical engineer but a lot of amps have the balanced outputs at plus 3db. Not sure why or how, perhaps to compensate for long cable runs that the balanced lines are designed for, but it’s a fact of life and sometimes needs to be addressed.