Listen to Kr4. If the gear is all truly balanced... using xlr cables is best.
if there is a lack somewhere, using an adapter is not a terrible thing. I went all BAT power train using xlr. My source was not balanced so adapters were in use. it sounded great IMO.
Sold the preamp, kept the amp, bought a SE preamp so again, adapters were needed... best sounding rig I've owned at that time.
I used Cardas adapters, BAT adapters, and some pro adapters, in fact I use a pair now on my DAC so I can run SE/RCA cables.... the noticed diffs from one set to another was negligible. In fact I doubt in a blind test one could actually pick out which xlr to rca adapter was being used.
That's the truth as I know it... see for yourself. $50 - $100 for upscale adapters. $15 for pro. Maybe you will hear adiff. I did. It just didn't justify the extra $35 - $85. it was that slight a diff.
Enjoy.
if there is a lack somewhere, using an adapter is not a terrible thing. I went all BAT power train using xlr. My source was not balanced so adapters were in use. it sounded great IMO.
Sold the preamp, kept the amp, bought a SE preamp so again, adapters were needed... best sounding rig I've owned at that time.
I used Cardas adapters, BAT adapters, and some pro adapters, in fact I use a pair now on my DAC so I can run SE/RCA cables.... the noticed diffs from one set to another was negligible. In fact I doubt in a blind test one could actually pick out which xlr to rca adapter was being used.
That's the truth as I know it... see for yourself. $50 - $100 for upscale adapters. $15 for pro. Maybe you will hear adiff. I did. It just didn't justify the extra $35 - $85. it was that slight a diff.
Enjoy.