I ditto the above responses. I own a McIntosh 2102 (tube) amp and I use the RCA inputs. I explored shifting over to balanced and was informed that the amp is not truly balanced and that the amp internally convers all balanced to unbalanced. To avoid this extra loop I was advised to stick with the RCA.
I also have a very high-end CD player that has both balanced and unbalanced outputs. The volumn on the balanced is higher and I could notice this as I also have a pair of self-power electrostatic speakers that are truly balanced. I prefer using the balanced cables when the equipment is truly balanced.
One other consideration is that you can bi-amp from a given component using RCA and balanced outputs. I run the RCA ICs from my CD player through my McIntosh amp and I run the balanced to my self-powered speakers located in my office.
I also have a very high-end CD player that has both balanced and unbalanced outputs. The volumn on the balanced is higher and I could notice this as I also have a pair of self-power electrostatic speakers that are truly balanced. I prefer using the balanced cables when the equipment is truly balanced.
One other consideration is that you can bi-amp from a given component using RCA and balanced outputs. I run the RCA ICs from my CD player through my McIntosh amp and I run the balanced to my self-powered speakers located in my office.