Although I don't have a BAT, my ARC LS5mkII is also fully
balanced with only XLR connections. You can certainly use
single-ended sources with the adaptors. However the better
route is dedicated RCA->XLR terminated cables. This is how
I connect my single-ended Sony DVD player (2-channel only)
to my LS5mkII. Depending upon the geometry of your current
cables you may be able to have them reterminated with an
XLR on the preamp side for less than the price of adaptors.
In terms of the difference in sound quality, only you can
be the judge there. I will tell you that I can detect no
audible difference when I connect my balanced sources
(Wadia 860 CDP, Fanfare FT-1A tuner) via the
single-ended outputs vs. the balanced. But that is with
very short cable lengths (1-2 ft). A better test would
probably be in a setup that has long cable runs between the
preamp/amp.
If you feel there is a degredation in using the adaptors or
RCA->XLR cables, you can always try a balanced line driver
such as ARC BL-2 which will convert single-ended RCA input
signals to balanced XLR output signals. The price you pay
here is additional buffer circuitry in the signal path to
create the '-' side of the balanced signal. No free lunch.
In the end you really need to experiment yourself. I can
tell you that the VK-3i is a fabulous preamp and will work
wonderfully with single-ended components.
balanced with only XLR connections. You can certainly use
single-ended sources with the adaptors. However the better
route is dedicated RCA->XLR terminated cables. This is how
I connect my single-ended Sony DVD player (2-channel only)
to my LS5mkII. Depending upon the geometry of your current
cables you may be able to have them reterminated with an
XLR on the preamp side for less than the price of adaptors.
In terms of the difference in sound quality, only you can
be the judge there. I will tell you that I can detect no
audible difference when I connect my balanced sources
(Wadia 860 CDP, Fanfare FT-1A tuner) via the
single-ended outputs vs. the balanced. But that is with
very short cable lengths (1-2 ft). A better test would
probably be in a setup that has long cable runs between the
preamp/amp.
If you feel there is a degredation in using the adaptors or
RCA->XLR cables, you can always try a balanced line driver
such as ARC BL-2 which will convert single-ended RCA input
signals to balanced XLR output signals. The price you pay
here is additional buffer circuitry in the signal path to
create the '-' side of the balanced signal. No free lunch.
In the end you really need to experiment yourself. I can
tell you that the VK-3i is a fabulous preamp and will work
wonderfully with single-ended components.