Balanced circuits are needed when there is a noise problem. If using a preamp of suitable gain, running RCA shielded cable for 30ft. should be no problem. When Sheffield Lab did their recordings, they used a shielded coax cable to run from Wiley Chapel to the electronics some 300ft. And we all know how quiet and good those recordings are. I prefer the XLR connector, and use them with the +(2) gnd(1) or pin 1 and pin 2, and not use pin 3 (-). RCA's seem to stretch and get loose over time. I just use the two wire rca cable and put on XLR connectors. My preference is the USA made switchcraft or Vampire. Jallen
