At what distance are balanced XLR cables needed?

Eldartford - you can spend arm and a leg for a balanced IC as well. They're also made of fancy materials - both metals and insulation. There is no reason why it should be different IMHO. Purity of metal still applies since impurity reside between crystals while insulation material directly affects capacitance and dielectric absorption.

The superior connectiviity of a balanced connection makes it an easy choice--if you have that option. And while Kinjanki makes a valid point, reasonably priced XLR cables are widely available. A well-known manufacturer touts Belden cables with decent connectors for his very pricey gear. If it's good enough for him... Kal's comments are certainly valid also. Try borrowing cables from the Cable Co. The only downside is that they probably have limited choices in the lengths discussed. Blue Jeans Cables might be a good, low-cost option for you. Just my $.02 Good luck!

Kijanki.. And you can pay an arm and a leg for little stones.
Atmasphere, whose opinion carries a lot of weight, has suggested that fancy wire is of little value in balanced interconnects.

I ran a 30-feet Purist Dominus RCA-RCA IC from Aesthetix Callisto Sig line stage to CAT JL-3 amps for a few years and had no problems with noise, radio station pickup, etc. My experience with this one setup nullified many of the theories regularly reported here. You won't know if it a cable works for you unless you try it out yourself.

Atmasphere, whose opinion carries a lot of weight, has suggested that fancy wire is of little value in balanced interconnects.

I value the contributions made here regularly by Atmasphere. But my experiences about balanced and single-ended cable differences significantly differ than his reports here. Once again, don't get too attached to the blanket statements often made here, but rather try many cables for yourself.

Jafox... I also ran long single ended interconnects for many years without problems. And they weren't any exotic wire. I changed over to balanced interconnects simply because I bought some new equipment having this interface.

I trust Atmasphere on this subject not only because he is usually well informed but also because he once provided a good writeup on the subject of balanced interconnects. Maybe he will come by and do it again.