I would disagree with Bob_reynolds in that it DOES matter if the unit is fully balanced or not. Why have pseudo balanced connections if the signal is to go through a bunch of bandaid phase-splitter and summing-amp stages for the sake of achieving "balanced" components. Either do it right all the way or don't bother at all. And yes, the RCA connector is a pain and a joke.
As for balanced connections making a difference on components that are truly balanced and that have both XLR and RCA connections, with the Aesthetix Io into the Aesthetix Callisto, the XLR cable here significantly outperforms the same model RCA cable in the context of portrayal of space alone. This is one example where the difference is enough to make anyone believe they were not the same components when driven by the same model cable.
As for balanced connections making a difference on components that are truly balanced and that have both XLR and RCA connections, with the Aesthetix Io into the Aesthetix Callisto, the XLR cable here significantly outperforms the same model RCA cable in the context of portrayal of space alone. This is one example where the difference is enough to make anyone believe they were not the same components when driven by the same model cable.