I've used a Purist Audio Design female XLR to male RCA adaptor to use a balanced cable between various XLR outputs and the RCA-only inputs of my preamp, and it sounded great. Can't tell if there was any loss, because the only way I had previously used the balanced cable without the adaptor was with a different preamp. The Purist adaptors are supposed to be the best, and are also pricey, and they take a long time to make them to order. BAT also makes adaptors, but I believe only female XLR to female RCA. Those are supposed to be good also.
XLR adapters for single ended cables
Has anyone tried using XLR to RCA adapters from the equipment's balance output or input. I have the XLR adapter in the DAC's balanced output, because my preamp does not have XLR connectors. I have RCA fitted cables. The sound improved greatly on the balance output with the XLR adapter than the RCA output. Should I reterminate one side of my RCA cable to XLR to get a better conncetion, instead of using the adapter? Does the signal get degrade through the adapter? Let me know what you think, and what you experienced, thanks.