Do Costly XLR Cables Make A Difference?

In brief; it depends entirely on the build and performance,,( and intuitively a matched price point …) of your bespoke system as a whole. Synergy of the WHOLE system matters.

In detail: it depends on whether you have the top-tier strata high-end electronics with the requisite resolution, slam, and dynamics, actually worthy of the new high-end cables performance capabilities to do their thing.

Plunking in a high-end cable in a budget or a middlin’ strata equipment system is a recipe for disappointment and a predictable poor choice. The analogy would be say …putting on high-end MICHELIN PILOT SUPER SPORT high-performance tires worthy of a JAG or VETTE on your Honda Civic….…they just won’t work to improve your ride as hoped for ,…full stop.

My experience: When I upgraded my system to a 5-figure digital source and stablemate 5-figure integrated amp… then presto …. Yes …. upgrading from $250 supplied cables to NORDOST FREY XLRs first , and then ultimately further uogrsde to CARDAS CLEAR XLRs was a sequential step and immediate audio performance improvement that was not subtle.

In addition to the now added audio performance resolution, slam, and dynamics full capabilities revealed in the electronics, the occasional annoying sibilants and any digital “edge” was removed.

NOTE: they are NOT tone controls to introduce any kind of new coloration slant to the audio performance.The CARDAS CLEARs are a neutral keeper for me.

I have never used XLR cables.  But in another thread I gave my recollection of what the person I consider the subject matter expert had to say.  Quoting myself:

According to Ralph (Atmasphere), if both components use true balanced architecture, there is minimal benefit in using uber expensive balanced interconnects.  Ralph, if I have misinterpreted the above feel free to correct me.

And in the same thread @gdnrbob added:

Though I might have read it wrong, I believe Ralph's (Atmasphere) belief in using equipment that adheres to the AES standard is that it minimizes cable artifacts (sound differences). Given that recording studios use such equipment, and their cables can stretch of long distances, it makes sense to use it.

So, if your equipment follows the AES standard, then XLR cables will/should not 'color' the sound as much as RCA cables. (And, from my limited experience moving between Mogami and AQ, there was very little difference in sound quality).

The key issue, again according to others with professional experience, is whether or not your equipment adheres to the true AES standard, versus just having balanced connectors.

As @jetter stated in quoting Ralph it totally depends on the equipment you are connecting. If both pieces follow the AES standard there may not be any improvement noted. Unfortunately in reading a lot of other comments and observations by Ralph on this subject many, if not most, pieces of home audio do not follow this standard. Once the standard is not a factor then the quality of construction and quality of wire (either balanced or unbalanced) become very important in the performance of a system.

I get a kick out of cable reviews that sound like wine reviews.  You've written the review before you got the cable.

Good cables make a difference.  Expensive cables does't always mean good cables.  

I like to make my cables out of Mundorf Angelique wire.  Parts connection has seveal  nice choices of XLR connectors.

Jerry