balanced vs. unbalanced sound quality

I think it depends on your system. 
I have a Spectral system and it was highly recommended that I use single ended. Professor Keith Johnson has said that the signal travels twice as far in a balanced cable and they present there own set of problems. 
Prior to my Spectral system I used balance cables. 
I do have a set of MIT balanced cables that I have never hooked up to the Spectral system. I will try to hook them up this weekend. I will report back after I have them hooked up.
I do use balanced cables from my JC3 to preamp and will try both types of cables when I hookup my Aesthetix IO. 
Keep listening 
joenies 

Professor Keith Johnson has said that the signal travels twice as far in a balanced cable and they present there own set of problems.

That's pretty funny!

If he really said this it suggests he doesn't know what he's talking about!!!
Look at a single ended cable- the signal travels in the center conductor, and the shield is the return path. In a balanced cable, the signal travels in a twisted pair, and the shield is ignored (not used for a return path). The distances are identical.

I'm guessing Johnson was referring to the signal path length within a balanced circuit, not within a balanced cable.

I didn't personally hear Prof. J make that statement. I was told by Terry at Overture what the Prof. told him. I was buying all new cabling at the time. When I asked about balanced cables is when he told me about the Prof. point of view. I have always used balanced cables till I got the Spectral system. 
Good listening too you. 
Joenies 

This thread has literally made me dumber. For those truly interested in this topic...seek out another thread.