XLR or RCA for my new DAC

Only for long runs is one of many incorrect answers when it comes to hi end audio

Both I/Os need to be TRUE balanced to benefit, though

A good pair of shielded RCA cables.

  I only used the XLR on my older QSC amp which had only xlr connections. 

 Then you will ask which rcas’ are better, etc.
you may or may not hear a difference.....I heard a difference using silver rca cables, switched back to standard rca’s. the highs were more out front but I found a good shielded pair from Blue jeans.And to save myself, I ordered them in a nice Kelly green color to make the wife happy. She likes green.

 Try out a couple pairs to see which ones give you what your looking for.  I went through 3 pair to find the ones that gave silence through the tweeter.
 We live 1.5 miles from a radio station tower, so there is talk and such.   After the better shielded rca’s were installed, it is much better now.  

Happy hunting.

 There is an ocean of cables, from 8$ - to thousands.
as I’m a budget audiophile, I found my old audioquest cables in the basement years ago, and still use them. I like them, if you get a proper shielded pair.

 Plus audioquest has their lifetime warranty, which I used about 3 -4 years ago on a nice XLR cable pair. 
Pulled them to use, they must have been 20+ years old or more, sent them in, fixed like new and returned, no charge.
that is why I buy them.

you may like other cables.

 Let your ears be the judge.  
 Enjoy, I always liked swapping cables, it’s easier them swapping components.  :)

Who said only for long runs?
Had to look up 1582.  
Processor?  
It's a stereo power amp.
A preamp will make more of a difference than any silly cable call.

All other considerations equal you can get a benefit from using balanced XLR interconnects, and it shouldn't hurt anything.

In some cases, one of the XLR or RCA input of a component may be of significant higher quality over the other to an audible degree, but this is relatively rare and depends upon the component.

Appreciate all the replies, thank you...I know it's all so subjective but I'll draw on those here who have much more experience than I as this is my first DAC. I have always used Transparent ic's and speaker cables. Though I'm going to try Voodoo for the XLR ic's with the DAC. I do prefer Voodoo and Shunyata over Transparent when it comes to power cables...


Well I'm off to FedEx to pick up the DAC (wicked excited). Think I'm leaning towards going the XLR route. What I'm not at all excited about is going into contortionist mode to connect it. Hopefully I'll notice a decent enough improvement in sound just adding the DAC so I'll never need to wonder if the RCA would have a different (better) sound than XLR, lol...Much as I love new toys connecting them is an absolute logistical nightmare!

Thanks again All!