I might be crazy but I’ve always bought into; you get the sound relative to your worse component and cable in the chair. Based on that premise I would start at the source, DAC to Pre. I want my Pre to start with the best signal that I can afford to feed. At some point you will probably change the XLR between your pre and amps. Not sure if this makes logical sense but it does to me. I also believe in over investing in speakers if you over invest in an individual component. Your speaker cables should always be your best cables. If they aren’t you may not be able hear a component or interconnect change. Sorry for running on.
XLR cable placement
I just bought a new (used) XLR that may possibly be my best cable. Right now I have the same brand XLR's going from my DAC to my preamp as well as going from the preamp to the power amp. My power amp only accepts XLR's.
Would I be better to place my new best XLR's between the DAC to the preamp, or the preamp to the power amp?
Thanks in advance