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

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.

To the OP, I doubt you will compromise the sound using the single ended outputs (and it's not like you have much choice).

I use an EAR 868 preamp with my Pass XA25. The EAR preamp has balanced and single ended outputs and it sounds great using the single ended outputs.

Some amps and sources are designed specifically to sound better with balanced connections - eg Ayre and BAT come to mind - but it really depends on the specific amps and implementation. It also depends on whether your sources are balanced or single ended. My Nagra DAC and phono stage are single ended, so it doesn't make much sense to have the only balanced connection between preamp and power amp.

The XA25 is the best power amp I have owned, and should sound great with an ARC preamp. Use the single ended outputs and don't worry about it. Your ears will tell you whether it is sounding good, and I strongly suspect that they will tell you it sounds great.