Balanced to RCA adaptors


I have a system using all XLR cables, and recently ordered a new preamp that is all RCA. (No choice here)
I am wondering, should I switch all my IC's to RCA, or can I just use the XLR to RCA Cardas adaptors and not have a sound degredation? If I do use the adaptors, do I need to use them at both ends of the IC or can I leave the amp end plugged in with XLR and the preamp end plugged in using the adaptor, to the RCA connection?
bullot

Showing 1 response by dob

"...Receives unbalanced audio input from a preamplifier with single-ended outputs. These signals are converted to balanced signals upon entering the chassis and processed as balanced signals thereafter."

Most probably, this amplifier uses phase splitter to process unbalanced audio inputs as balanced signal thereafter.

As far as I know, Joule-Electra LA-300/150 single-ended preamps use this technology processing all input single ended signals (RCA) in balanced mode i.e. canceling preamp induced distortions and reducing the noise and before output converting these signals back to single ended in order to exploit RCA outputs.

This is very clever approach allowing these preamps to do balanced processing "on the cheap". Indeed, this is could be one of the explanations of why LA-300 is so quit (more quit then most ss preamp I auditioned) with so much "black background" making music so much more realistic.

Thank you
Rafael