Really Long XLR

“I am truly surprised there is anyone suggesting this is the place where a $50 - $100 cable is the appropriate choice. ”

@bigtwin

Nothing to be surprised here, just check out the audio system of folks recommending $1 - $2 per foot. Most folks recommending these cables never mentioned their components nor their system listed here. Your system should allow you to hear differences between the cables, no matter what price point / brand you choose to go within your budget. For the kicks, try a short pair of Mogami/Belden/BlueJeans etc etc and compare it with Audio Envy, Zavfino, Audio Sensibility or Neotech. You will know what to do next :-)

@lalitk Right now I have narrowed it down to two cables. 

1. Audio Envy O’nestian for $1250.  They are using OCC copper and the cables appear to be very well constructed.  Maybe the best I have seen at this price.

2. Gotham Audio XLR Cable, GAC-2 Ultra Pro, 10561 for $380.  this cable ships from Germany and uses LCOF Copper, which is in between CFC and OCC.  If you believe that single crystal copper actually improves the sound, then you pay the extra $800.  The jury is still out on that one.  

The Gotham cable appears to be just as well constructed as the Audio Envy.  The difference is really the copper.  

https://www.gothamcable.com/en/gothamcables/balancedanalog/10561gac2ultrapro

@bigtwin

No direct experience with Gotham Audio. It appears 10561 GAC2 designed for microphones in professional applications. If you are pursuing Gotham Audio, look into the GAC-3 10701 designed for audio. Everything I read, points to professional audio applications. 

https://www.gothamcable.com/en/gothamcables/madeupleads/xlr3conductorlead/neumann10701

@lalitk Thanks for that.  I believe the terms "microphone" and XLR are used to mean the same thing?  The 10561 used the braided copper shielding as the ground on the XLR connector.  I think this is quite standard?  Both the 10561 and the 10701 use XLR connectors. 

@bigtwin I tried that maneuver and used Mogami Studio Gold XLRs. After about a month I moved everything back. The aesthetic improvement wasn’t worth the loss in sonics compared to my then XLRs, Acoustic Zen Absolute Copper. 
Don’t do cheap cables - you get what you pay for. Since you’re entertaining building your own cables, look into Neotech and use top notch connectors (Rhodium or Gold). Check out Sonic Craft for Neotech. Also, VH Audio has Furutech cables and connectors…worth looking into.