leemaze
1) Is there a difference between 'single-ended' and RCA?Typically, they're the same thing. I say "typically" because you can use RCAs as part of a balanced connection, such as on a phono preamp with a separate ground.
2) Would there be a benefit to using a pair of XLR-to-RCA IC's for the connection instead?Nope. That would result in an unbalanced (single ended) connection, the same as using the RCA output jacks.