RCA vs XLR and Balanced vs Unbalanced

some nitwits here hate it when i say it and say it again -- ’the search bar above is your friend’

too all noobs -- once again -- ’’ the search bar above is your friend’’

@tvad shows it to be so true again - here is another from just a few months back... https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/all-things-being-equal-hypothetical-which-do-you-prefer-xlr-o...

and so ends this public service announcement...

The primary determinant of which will sound better is how the equipment is designed (balanced or not… as MC and others have noted), The manufacturers might tell you which is better… but the reality is the difference… particularly if your equipment is <$2K per box is not likely to be big. I would guess, that it would be more cost effective to stick with single ended RCA) until your individual components cost more than $5K. Mine are closer to $20K each and my upgrading to XLR was not real noticeable although this is what the manufacturer recommends.

My Ayre stuff is fully balanced with both XLR and RCA's.   XLR wins easily.

i agree that ayre and arc stuff always seem sound noticeably better running balanced...

Thank you all for your input. I am getting a better idea of the what I need and do not need to consider in my decision making process. I am running a Musica Pristina A Cappella III  connected via I2S to Denafrips Pontus that is connected to W4S STI1000 V2 using XLRs to Cornwall IVs. In this set-up I also rotate in a Fisher 500C that is connected to Pontus with hybrid XLR-RCA cable. The components are located on a rack between the speakers that are approximately 8-9 feet apart.  I'd like to transition to a Decware mono set-up with a true balanced pre-amp (TBD/suggestions?) where I can locate the monos next to the speakers  and move the rack to a side wall.  Moving components to a side wall will necessitate a run of approximately 12' to for right channel mono and 18' to left channel mono.  That is why I am inquiring into balanced vs XLR and balanced vs unbalance.  Any suggestions for an preamp ($3K ballpark) that would work with this set-up or any other thoughts on this set-up are appreciated.