IMO there is unfortunately no way to predict the answer to your question, in part because there are many component-dependent variables that will influence the behavior of the cables in each location. A couple of examples, among many, being the output impedances of the components, and the susceptibility of the components to ground loop effects. A "better" cable will not necessarily provide better performance in any given location, depending on how its characteristics interact with the characteristics of what it is connecting. Also, "better" performance is not always subjectively preferable.
In your specific case, though, your connections are balanced, and I suspect that the components have low output impedances. Those two factors will in general tend to reduce cable effects, everything else being equal. So the answer MIGHT be that it won't make a lot of difference either way.
Disclaimer: There are those who believe that being further upstream (closest to the source) increases the importance of the quality of a cable or component. I do not subscribe to that philosophy, my philosophy simply being that a chain is as strong as its weakest link, regardless of where that link is located.
Regards,
-- Al
In your specific case, though, your connections are balanced, and I suspect that the components have low output impedances. Those two factors will in general tend to reduce cable effects, everything else being equal. So the answer MIGHT be that it won't make a lot of difference either way.
Disclaimer: There are those who believe that being further upstream (closest to the source) increases the importance of the quality of a cable or component. I do not subscribe to that philosophy, my philosophy simply being that a chain is as strong as its weakest link, regardless of where that link is located.
Regards,
-- Al