Do Costly XLR Cables Make A Difference?

I'm on Day 1 with my first audiophile approved balanced interconnects.  Here's what I can say:

Denafrips Ares II DAC to Pathos Classic One Mkiii

Original Interconnect was 1m Audioquest Sydney RCA ($200).

Trial Interconnect was 6ft Monoprice Premier Series XLR ($30).  Result was a very similar sound that I convinced myself had lost some of the smoothness of the AQ Sydney, but it was very similar.

New Interconnect is 1m Morrow Audio MA4 XLR ($330).  Initial impressions are that the sound is clearly different (i.e. I can describe in detail specific things that sound different on a given song).  To my ears, I won't be going back.

I wasn't sure what to expect because I've been very happy with the AQ Sydney and with the short 1m interconnect it's easy to argue that I shouldn't hear much of a difference, especially based on how similar the Monoprice XLR sounded to the AQ.

Nice integrated until you have a problem with it. Some 5 years ago a friend had one with a problem. His emails to Italy went unanswered for long periods of time! And no one in the US seemed capable of resolving it (probably no schematics available). Now that aside, I seriously doubt it's true balanced (only 2 tubes). Checking Pathos site, no indication it is true balanced: many companys add XLR inputs for convenience, not because of an actual sonic benefit, but if that's what you have why not use it?

You will likely get much bigger benefits by treating all your cables with Mad Scientist Graphene Contact Enhancer. IMHO, by far the best tweak one can make

hth

depends on the cable and how it is used----But YES they do

@reimarc

"if the event takes place around the conductor and not through it, how can its material make a difference?"

Because all materials involved form an inter-relationship, as do electromagnetic fields outside of the system. Its not just "one thing" happening.

@tweak1 - That's interesting to hear.  The local shop that I purchased it from (used) will repair Pathos I'm fairly certain.  Also, I'm a member of a Pathos group on FB and one of the members works at Pathos and is routinely asking questions and such.  She even pushed on Upscale Audio for me when I was trying to get a remote for it through them.