Are Cheap XLR Balanced Better Or GOOD RCA

In the Levinson setup balanced connections give you more gain in the amplifier coming through your speakers. Better sound - maybe depending on the cables. Borrow some cables from a friend to see if its worth it.

short runs, little difference

I'd prefer balanced if I had the option
better contacts and noise cancellation

Cardas golden cross are nice

you can always buy 1/2 meter (if you have a real short run) and save money

Tom

Thanks to everyone so far. I would like to add that I need (2) 20 foot pairs to run to my 2 ML 333s. I have to biamp my Apogee Divas. That is why I am so concerned about cost.

Thanks again,
Tom

Unless you have a really long run, there just isn't going to be much difference. I use a 2 meter balanced Purist Dominus, a very pricey cable, between preamp and amps, but when I substituted a 2 meter RCA of the same cable, I couldn't be sure that I heard any difference at all. Certainly it wasn't significant. Categorically, at any length up to 2 meters, no one will ever convince me that a good 2 meter RCA won't outperform a lesser XLR cable.

With 20 foot runs you really should go with the XLR's. I can see where not too many friends would have a 20 foot pair much less two laying around. Until your funds are available I would stick to the Rca rather than buy some lesser cable or go to your local general music store and buy a pair from them to just see how things go - they are pretty cheap compared to anything on the suppose high end market. You could also get those guys to convert your RCA pairs to XLR with a change of connectors - you could just use their cheapo connectors or buy some nice Cardas, Neutrix or WBT's. This will save you some money and get you on your way to where you eventually want to be.