Distance between components

Hello,

My speakers are about 5 1/2 feet on either side of my preamp.  I am about to go with mono-blocks and I am wondering if it's best to:

1) Run a 5 1/2' XLR from my preamp to monos (if i place them near the speaker) and then the shortest speaker wire possible?

2) Keep the monos as close to the preamp as possible and run 5 1/2 speaker wire?

3) It won't make a difference?

Thanks, Chip