XLR interconnects

Aside from all the pro/con arguments both ways, I prefer the more "positive" locking connection an XLR makes

crazyeddy

...  I prefer the more "positive" locking connection an XLR makes

There are locking RCA connectors, although they don't snap into place as an XLR does.

I hear you both on the locking portion of XLR connectors. I had some rca interconnects that were loose fitting. Although they didn’t’t come out I would question the build quality of the interconnect. Of course I could’ve just returned it, but felt as long as it doesn’t come loose I was willing to take that chance and live with it. Its all good and no problems even now.

2007audioman

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.

I was using AQ Water XLR's from my DAC to my amp, both balanced. I replaced my 3k DAC with a 12k DAC. Before I removed my old DAC, I tried a pair of High Fidelity Reveal RCA cables. They sounded much better & bigger cleaner sound stage. If I would of done this first, I would of never bought the 12k DAC.