Cables from amp to preamp or longer speaker cables…

long xlr interconnect and short speaker cables 

Long interconnect/short speaker and short interconnect/long speaker - I’ve run both, and really haven’t been able to really tell a difference between either configuration. And this was with single ended RCA interconnects. I was lucky to have pretty clean power in my new construction home, plus a very benign EMI environment.

What Paul says ^^^ in his initial opening to his video was my understanding: short interconnect/long speaker is best, since the preamp can’t drive the long cables but the amp surely can. But the other side of the coin is that the amp’s output drive capability, damping factor, etc. is best with a short run of cable. So you’re in a double edged sword configuration.

Now with XLRs, however - that changes things up a bit. If you have XLRs, then a long run to your amp should provide you a very clean signal to your amp, then a short cable run to your speakers; the best of both worlds.

Hi, I would put the amplifier between the speakers and buy an XLR interconnect cable, it is also the cheapest way to solve the issue, an interconnect cable compared to a speaker cable of similar quality is much cheaper, also remember that the length of the speaker cables should be the same for both speakers, no matter if it is not necessary for one of them. I hope it helps you

Hello Thomastrouble! Think about professional installations. Almost always, the control board is near the back of the venue (hall, theater, auditorium, church, stadium) and the amps are very close (just a few feet - eliminating worrys about speaker cables) to the speakers. Balanced cables can run hundreds of feet between the control board and the power amps. An industry standard three conductor (balanced) sheilded cable from Belden is normally used to make the long distant runs. Think about microphone cables in performace locations. Tiny signals (about the same level as a moving coi cartridge) are routinely run for very long runs to a controll booth in the rear of the place. There is a good Chinese copycat cable available from Parts Express if $$ is a problem.  You don't have to spend huge amounts of money for those cables. I have set up sevral auditoriums and assure you that things are normally done in the way I have described. The best cables from Guitar Center should be fine. Don't spend over $10/foot, including connectors. Cables are easy to make if you can solder. Happy listening!

Short speaker cables and long interconnects. Over the last fifty years I have tried both. Depending on your equipment, generally the quality of the interconnects between preamp and amp are more important than whether or not they are single ended or balanced.

‘Also depending on the quality and specific components, typically the quality of the speaker cables will mater most, then the amp power cords, then the interconnects, then the rest of the power cords. Most importantly, each is additive, each improving the sound and in aggregate can make very substantial sound quality improvement.

It would be helpful to know more about your equipment and venue. There is a place under your user ID, under virtual systems. Then you can post only once.