Who makes super quiet XLRs around $1k?

Audioquest Water use it with my Aesthetix

XLRs should be quiet by their very design, which has separate ground

WW Eclipse series 7 or better still 8

Hi @tweak1 . Which other brands/models did you compare the WW Eclipse 7 up against?
My last communication with Lan from Transparent and Aaron from Purist yesterday, based on the specific models that we discussed about, they both could not confirm that XLRs are necessarily quieter (less background noise) than RCAs design but it relies (entirely) on front end electronics aka system dependent- so, that sounds to me, for myself, is to try/trial both RCA and XLR in my system.
Note: Transparent Cables now offering 30-day in home trial.

PS Audio, though I do not recall which model, and Surf Cables silver
If you nodle around WWs site I think you will see they know what it takes to make quality cables

hth

For under $1k, seriously consider the Silent Source Signature.  The top model, the SS Music Reference, brings on much more of the ambiance that you mentioned, but the Signature is a heck of a great start.  It will handily destroy the lower priced Purist, Nordost, Wireworld and Transparent, in both detail and clarity.  There is no smearing going on here/  And, because of its shielding, it worked incredibly well for me some years ago between an MC phono step-up and MM input stage of preamp.