which XLR cables?

The main question to ask yourself, if the run isn't a long one, is: Are my components completely balanced internally so that they'll benefit from using XLR interconnects?

Not sure what you mean by that. Whether or not the components are differentially balanced throughout their internal signal paths is unrelated to the noise and hum reduction benefits that result from having the interface itself balanced. All that is necessary to realize those benefits is that the output stage of the driving component, and the input stage of the destination component (and the cable in between, of course), are balanced.

Balanced internal topology can provide additional benefits, but its absence does not negate the advantages of having the interface itself balanced.

Regards,
-- Al

FWIW.... amps are parasound HCA 1500a
pre/pro is the integra 9.8

is it worth looking to XLR cables or should I stick with what I have? I do plan on getting a bryston amp (or something similar) in a year or so for the mains

Recently used Discovery Cable interconnects in balanced configuration. Priced very right indeed plus offer all the performance of the big time brands. Were highly reviewed in TAS and now I know why, just cannot be beat in the price/performance catgeory.

Here's some opinions I hold. Whether balanced will be better than single ended is totally dependent on the equipment being connected, as some have indicated. I have only come across around a dozen brands where balanced will work better, and that assumes you have one of those brands at both ends of the cable. As a very wild generalisation single ended will most times be better. When balanced is better, it is true that there is less difference between the sound of cables than for single ended cables, but there is still a difference.