In a way, a very pertinent question for me as I’m dealing with it now. Sort of in that I’m just looking for the right connection from my Rowland Model 12 monoblocks to my Townsend Allegri Preamp(which has both XLR and RCA). .
In addition to the Townshend Allegri I also just ordered a Townsend Audio full loom and in discussions with Max Townshend about IC connectors, he told me that RCA’s are better than XLR’s. Max went on to explain single ended connection is more pure and true to the signal as a balanced connections goes through extra circuitry and should be avoided if possible, except for long runs of cable.
I'm also changing the IC's from between my Classe processor and Allegri(for pass through) from balanced to RCA's.
As far as noise, I asked about that. Townshend’s interconnects at least use shielding so others likely do as well.