What's better: RCA or XLR?

Very good clarification by bear regarding the XLR vs RCA connector. I would further clarify that XLR I/Os could be installed on the chassis of any component that was unbalanced in nature, and simply bridge the pin configurations for true unbalanced operation. That being said, I feel that the RCA connector was a very poor design that quickly deteriorates after repeated use. The lack of any locking mechanisms, to insure stability and reliability, seem rather amatuerish as an industry standard to me. Its no wonder the original Mark Levinson gear insisted on Fischer/Camac type connectors. He saw the problem and adressed it.It was unrealistic, since all other equipment lacked these, so interface was always through more RCAs. It was like having a 24 bit machine with only 16 bit discs to play through it.............Frank

I concur with Saki winki.

I had similar set-up about 6 months ago definitely go with the XLR it is more quiet background and dynamic.

I have found the shorter and less complicated the signal path the better.Single ended have a less complicated path than balanced.Single ended I sense to be more coherent.