balanced vs. unbalanced sound quality

So much bad information concerning balanced audio and the advantages. Balanced audio is not 2 signals, one 180 degrees inverted to eliminate common mode noise. That technology is used for digital transmission to null out any interference caused by environment or more importantly, other digital signals in the same cable bundle. Balanced audio utilizes 2 identical signal path circuits, one for each "leg" of your audio signal. The foremost advantage is that  there is no congested ground path for all signals, audio and power supply to distort the audio signal.  All currents through a ground path drop voltage due to small resistance.....noise!   Picture a toy slinky...both hands moving for balanced audio...Picture the same slinky attached to a table top on one end and only one hand moving for unbalanced audio....I'm not saying the difference is "huge"...but it has nothing to do with differencial noise elimination.

Units that have XLR output/input connectors (even if the internal circuitry is not "balanced" (2 identical audio circuits for the + and - leads)) take advantage of utilizing separate ground paths for each signal. Common ground paths are a huge factor in electronic noise. All currents flowing thru traces or wires drop a voltage in proportion to the current flowing thru it.  Keeping the ground or returns paths as separate as possible reduces the algebraic addition of all noise created by current flow. XLR wiring keeps left and right returns off the noisy ground path. Units with XLR connectors make an effort internally to accomplish that. Again, even if it is not a pure balanced circuit internally.