Considering Schiit equipment

I have both Freya+ and Saga 2 and highly recommend both. If you ever want to add a balanced source (and are interested in tube sound which I also recommend) then Freya+ would be best. You could add an RCA switch to juggle your sources for now (I did that with the Vali headphone amp that lacks RCA inputs and it worked fine); it shouldn't hurt Sirius xm sound as it is already mid-fi (I have Sirius in my kitchen and on phone). But I really love the Saga 2 sound too (a steal for the price), and running XLR to your power amp(s) is certainly a good idea which it allows with XLR outputs. Forkbeard is very fun and convenient but for me not that ground breaking. I have the Wotan power amp and it works and sounds great too! Anyway hard to go wrong with any of your ideas!

I got two pairs of XLR/RCA adapters, they were OK, no noise or degradation. It was just a test, for an Equalizer I didn't use. I returned them because I didn't need them, but at least I knew they were not problematic.

Get them from Amazon, free return if you don't like them.

You will not get the shielding advantages of XLR, but for home systems, we don't need extra noise protection. 

Occasionally, not always, XLR signal is a few db stronger than RCA out of a piece, I'm not sure if you need that, or if you would keep or loose the extra signal strength via the adapters.

Then, there is Real XLR, and improperly implemented XLR, others need to explain the difference.

Home: what I like most is that XLR connectors lock in (not all). I changed all my RCA connectors to Locking Type, so when I mess with any cable, it does not disturb others inadvertently.

Thank you all for the responses. I simply don't have time for individual responses but rest assured I read them all with great interest!

I understand the difference between the Freya+ F and the Kara F preamps, tubes or not tubes. But if the Saga2 is also so highly regarded, why bother with the costlier ones? 

RCA to XLR adapters. Yes, I would want a better quality one. Audioquest doesn't seem to make them. There's also a LOT of different types, styles, costs etc.

Any recommendations?

Can someone explain the need for Balance controls?  Sorry for sounding dumb, but I haven't figured out the reason for making one channel (Left, Right) louder than the other.  Thanks.

It's not dumb Allen, it's always good to ask about something.  

In my case, I have a Sony DVD player that tends to be a little heavy on the left channel with audio. Been that way since day 1 and works great otherwise. Balance control remedies that.