Best XLR IC's for around $300/pair?

You can also typically pick up a set of Harmonic Technology Pro Silway II's for about $200 a pair in XLR's. Quite a nice cable.

Try making your own using Furutech FA-220 wire and CF carbon filter terminations. You may be surprised.

I use 2 pairs of AQ XLR Diamondbacks bought used. My preamp to amp run is XLR but not balanced, and Mogamis from Guitar Center (seemed like a good idea since I've used their mic cables for years) sounded extremely harsh in that position (note I have Mogami Neglex from my TT and they're fine) so they were returned to the knucklehead store (manager says to me: "You don't need break-in since they're pure copper"...OK then). The Diamondbacks are a neutral sounding bargain and an extremely well put together cable...solid core with tough XLR plugs...I use a run from my DAC to "balanced in" on my preamp also. Bungees...they're bungees...