Which balanced IC between pre amp and power amp?

For a second system I too would not want to dump a lot of cash on wires.  I just read about Raven cables, and on their website their Soniquil balanced interconnects are listed at $119 and come with a 45-day trial period.  What intrigues me about these is that they seem very well made, and the designer used them at shows with $40k worth of his top electronics that he also makes, and his rooms get rave reviews.  That says a lot to me, so they certainly seem worth a shot. 

Another cheaper per option would be Cullen Copper XLR interconnects that cost a very reasonable $95.  Hope this helps, and best of luck. 

Pro audio shops will make up cables to your order from excellent materials at a reasonable price. In my best system, I use balanced cables made by ProAudioLA from Mogami W2549 and gold-plated Neutrik connections. I think a 25’ pair, some years ago, was about US$100.

In single-blind tests, a number of experienced listeners (including a composer and an audio designer) found the cables notably less colored than some $2200 cables from a boutique brand that I was evaluating.

(The Mogami cable is similar in quality to the Canare recommended by another poster. Both are widely used in the commercial recording and broadcasting industries.)

Agree with @soix Besides those, take a look also at Audio Envy.

I have a completely balanced system using all Ayre fully balanced components.   If indeed your stuff is fully balanced, there isn't much difference using any good (and maybe some not so good) balanced interconnect.  The speaker cables have great differences, but not so using balanced interconnects.

@stringreen ,
+1, you beat me to it.

I know AtmaSphere, Ralph Karsten, believes that differences in  balanced cables brands will be minimized IF the equipment follows the balanced protocol (AES 47). And, just because equipment has balanced input/outputs doesn't necessarily mean it follows that protocol, so best to check first with the manufacturer.

I use Ralph's interconnects (25 feet) in my system and short speaker cables (6 feet) as speaker cables will impart more coloration than balanced interconnects.
Bob