"Balanced rejects noise that why all professional audio gear is balanced. So doesn't matter on short cables, but anything longer than 6ft should be balanced ideally. I run 12 ft cables, all XLR."
Over 99% of all pro gear isn't balanced. Pro audio typically uses point to point balancing. The components themselves are single ended and the signal gets converted at the inputs and outputs. In order for the component itself to be balanced, all the parts in the signal path have to be doubled up to make a path for the 2nd signal conductor. To do it right raises the cost of the component significantly. Doing point to point allows for longer cable runs and better noise rejection, so its a good thing to do. However, if you want better sound quality that balanced operation delivers, the components themselves need to be balanced.