XLR vs RCA

IMO, there is no real benefit of using XLR ICs, unless you require 10m long ICs or your components do not have RCA sockets.

For me it depends on the RCA or XLR electronics and the quality of the RCA or XLR ICs not whether it is RCA or XLR, which is how I hear it.

With RCA ICs, if the noise is well controlled then RCAs can/should sound better than XLR ICs

Unfortunately, XLR electronics remove 2nd order harmonics as part of the XLR noise filtering/cancelling process, which our ears like, but leaves the 3rd order harmonics in place including the noise, which our ears do not like... :)

Even more so, if the Hot and Cold XLR electronics is not well matched then the noise filtering/cancelling process can be even stronger where even more 2nd, and even 3rd, order harmonics are removed. I guess that will provide a smoother, maybe warmer, sound :)

I would not buy any audio equipment or cable without XLRs.
In a nut shell a Balanced signal means better, stronger and cleaner signal between devices.

I prefer XLR connectors. They always fit, never get loose, Sound great, have less metal mass to pass a signal than an RCA typically, although WBT and Furrutech make some good RCA's, I have never had to repair or replace an XLR. I have replaced numerous RCA connectors. I use both, but prefer XLR if so equipped. This is not saying I prefer a balanced circuit, just the connector. The circuit is a different topic. PT

I will repeat again and again, from my experience.
XLR will provide the "gain" that you need when used with a system that has passive preamp. My amp came alive when fed with XLR compared to RCA. Don't know if that was the designer's preference for the amp to sound optimal using XLR input.

"12-24-14: Milpai
I will repeat again and again, from my experience.
XLR will provide the "gain" that you need when used with a system that has passive preamp."

I don't see how that's true. Gain varies from component to component. Also, you can get good results using a passive preamp with single ended gear. The vast majority of passives are not balanced.