XLR and RCA interconnects in the same system?

The comment that a cheap balanced connection (using cheap wires) for the balanced interconnect is good?
That is hogwash.

If you have poorly designed, poorly built and/or mismatched audio equipment the I agree.

Some people just don't get it - with well designed gear the effects of audio cables are minimized to the point of being negligible...

It is simply semantics - my definition of "high end" is gear that reproduces what is on the recorded media as accurately as possible with the least possible distortion from extraneous factors such as cabling.

Those who invest in setups that magnify the effects of cables to the point of audibility are simply hearing much less of what is on the recording. A system should be tuned to the recording and de-tuned to all variable extraneous factors like power and audio connections.