audio research LS15 preamplifier

You can use an adapter but I would not. I would just use the regular RCA CD input of the preamp. If one day you get a different CD player that has ballanced outputs then I would try the direct. My DAC does not have ballanced outputs either. My whole system is ballanced except for my front end. Really I did not hear any difference between the direct and the regular CD input on my ARC preamp. You have a different model preamp but I doubt there is very much of a difference. I think you would do more harm to the signal by using an adapter then you would gain with the direct input.

Does anyone else have experience comparing the "Direct" input, using balanced outs from their CD player or DAC vs. using the "regular" CD input using RCA cables without any adapters, that is. Any significant audible gains in going balanced in "Direct"?

There's no point in using the balanced input because either way it's going to be a single ended signal. Just use the rca input jacks, that's what I did.

Warnerwh, have you compared the Direct and BAL inputs in LS-15 soundwise? Just curious if you heard any difference. thanks.

I'd not tried that Audphile1 as I suspect the difference if any would be not worth bothering with.