Balanced to RCA adaptors


I have a system using all XLR cables, and recently ordered a new preamp that is all RCA. (No choice here)
I am wondering, should I switch all my IC's to RCA, or can I just use the XLR to RCA Cardas adaptors and not have a sound degredation? If I do use the adaptors, do I need to use them at both ends of the IC or can I leave the amp end plugged in with XLR and the preamp end plugged in using the adaptor, to the RCA connection?
bullot
can I plug in to the balanced end at the amp and the RCA end at the pre...
Bullot (Answers)

Yes, you can do that. You will need RCA>XLR adapters at the amp end if you're using RCA interconnects, or you will need XLR>RCA adapters at the preamp end if you are using XLR interconnects.

...or should I get adaptors for both ends?
No.

You have the choice of using RCA interconnects with an RCA>XLR adapter at the amp end, or the choice of using XLR interconnects with XLR>RCA adapters at the preamp end. There will be no difference, IMO, since you will not be running balanced considering the Joule is not a balanced source.

Or, you can use RCA interconnects, and run single ended from the Joule and single ended into the Levinson. My hunch is this will sound best. Adapters are inexpensive, so you can experiment with both options.

The decision of which amplifier input to use, and which preamp output impedance to select is going to have the largest impact on the sound you get, due to the potential impedance matches (or mismatches).

The impedance match selecting the Joule's 350 ohm output impedance should match very well with the 33H's single ended 50k ohm input impedance.

If you use the 33H's balanced inputs, you might want to select the Joule's 1200 ohm output impedance considering the 33H's 100k ohm balanced input impedance.

You have a lot of options, and only experimentation will tell you which configuration you will prefer.

Nice combo. Have fun.
Hey, thanks very much Tvad!! I appreciate you sharing your obviously considerable exerience and knowledge!!
Check out the adaptors at sweetwater.com. I compared head-to-head vs. Cardas, and none of us heard a difference in my rig(see systems: Goosebump Factory). $5 vs. $75, or something like that...Audiophile vs. poor musician markups. Cheers,
Spencer
If as you state the RCA input on the Levinson is also "balanced" I'd go with an RCA cable and avoid the adapters. If you do try the adapters and find you prefer the sound in this configuration versus straight RCA cable, you could always have a custom cable made where it is RCA on the output end and XLR on the input end.
I'd avoid the adapters, if I could, but you've already got great advice on the options. Just make sure, if you get adapters, that they are worth a damn. I have a nice system and used a set for back channels (due to a temporary cable "changing of the guard") I pulled apart one of the adapters. It was a generic one sold here on Agon and was appallingly poorly made, horrific wire and cold soldered. It looked good on the outside, though. I guess it would serve the purpose, but you have nice gear. I would always have that suspicion that things weren't quite up to snuff, so if you do go with adaptors, get good ones with a return/inspection policy behind them.