Guido - I bought 102 + Benchmark to use only one pair of XLR interconnects (noisy environment). I decided against Bel Canto S300 since it was more expensive while not built as nice as Rowland. In my opinion Rowland's decision to put only XLR connectors was mature (not trying to please everybody). I know it wasn't for the savings of two RCA connectors since case is milled out from the single block of aluminum. Today I would probably go for Continuum 500 integrated.
I wonder if there are RCA-XLR adaptors for the output of preamp that preserve balanced cable configuration (transformer?). I know that people often have very expensive unbalanced interconnects and wouldn't change them. Transformers are not completely benign since they introduce small harmonic distortion at very low frequencies. On the other hand sonic difference, I heard of, is at higher frequencies, balanced being more "airy".
I wonder if there are RCA-XLR adaptors for the output of preamp that preserve balanced cable configuration (transformer?). I know that people often have very expensive unbalanced interconnects and wouldn't change them. Transformers are not completely benign since they introduce small harmonic distortion at very low frequencies. On the other hand sonic difference, I heard of, is at higher frequencies, balanced being more "airy".