Is mixing RCA and XLR cables bad?

To add to my concerns, just read this from Cable Solutions website:

“When considering the use of adapter cables, please keep in mind that while unbalanced to balanced conversion cables typically work well, the reverse is not true - balanced to unbalanced conversion almost always requires a converter device, such as the Jensen Transformers PC-2XR.”

This is exactly what I’m doing, ugh.  So I’m addition to my question about mixing XLR and RCA cables, am I still creating a problem just by using the XLR to RCA adaptors?

If your new Lyngdorf and your Mac both have balanced out and in why don't you just buy one lower cost balanced cable and use that. why try to make a balanced to RCA cable if you do not need it. Balanced cables are not as susceptible to noise induction so you do not need to spend huge money on balanced cables. 

Paul Mc Gowan from Ps audio has a topic about your sitiuation Jeff.My understanding is you are only getting half the benefit of what balance cable does if you use adapters.I am using  xlr to rca adapters as well made from Cardas.

I have used XLR to RCA adapters on my BigMac amp without issues. There is no secret sauce using XLR cables. They are designed for long runs and the output is often 3 db higher by design. In some cases that can make the amp noisy with high efficiency loudspeakers. RCAs have been in use a long time and unless you have noise issues or very long runs, they solve a problem that often doesn't exist. 

By lifting pin 3, you are using only half the signal the Lyngdorf is putting out. That will lower the S/N ratio, which may or may not be audible. Using a transformer like the Jensen will better preserve the S/N ratio in the conversion.

I have had hum problems with cable adapters, problems solved by using transformer conversion.

Another option: Audio by Van Alstine (easy to find on the Web) either is offering or will soon offer active conversion boxes between single-ended and balanced. These are likely to be less expensive than transformers -- studio-grade transformers could be $500 or more.

I hope that helps.

@glennewdick wrote

If your new Lyngdorf and your Mac both have balanced out and in why don't you just buy one lower cost balanced cable and use that. why try to make a balanced to RCA cable if you do not need it. Balanced cables are not as susceptible to noise induction so you do not need to spend huge money on balanced cables.

Exactly, why not just connect the unit via XLR cable???

@testpilot : Exactly, why not just connect the unit via XLR cable???

I agree. Balanced cables made with Mogami W2549 and Neutrik gold XLRs will give very good performance indeed. In my comparisons, they were less colored than an "audiophile" cable costing 20x as much.

You can get them on Amazon from an outfit calling itself "Worlds Best Cables" or made to the exact lengths you need from many pro audio shops. The one I use is ProAudioLA.

A 3-ft pair will cost about $50.

I wanted to use adaptors while I researched best XLR cables.  However I decided to believe that basic high quality pro XLR cable would be fine, so I just ordered 7 Canare Star Quad cables with Neutrik connectors from B&H Photo.  Also got the Emotiva XLR to RCA adaptor for my sub out, as the Velodyne sub only take RCA.  Thanks for everyone’s input!