As several people have commented, if components have fully balanced connections, the balanced XLR connection does present an improvement over single-ended connections. I connect my fully balanced PS Audio DirectStream DAC and Classe AMP2 using a Pangea balanced XLR. As much as I did not want to eliminate my Absolute Sound Class A preamp...the sound difference was just to much better by directly linking the balanced components.
XLR interconnects
I read that XLR interconnects can maintain the signal over longer distances therefore it is ideal to use an XLR interconnect over rca unbalanced cables. Why then do you see cable manufacture companies produce 0.5 m, 1m, 2m, 3m interconnects for audio gear? What is difference over a 1m, 2m, 3m rca unbalanced cable? Is there any sound differences?
2007audioman
2007audioman