There are some high end interconnect cables that differ between XLR and RCA versions only by virtue of the connectors that are used. In those cases the cable usually contains two conductors that are symmetrically placed within a shield, with one of those conductors serving as the return (ground) conductor in the RCA configuration. I suspect that in most of those cases the shield (if present) is just connected at one end in the RCA version (there are technical reasons for that, in cases where the shield is not serving as the return conductor), and at both ends in the XLR version.
Looking at the photos provided at the Darwin site, my guess is that is not the case with your particular cables, and the wires used for the two versions are different, but I can't tell conclusively. So it might be worth checking with Darwin to see if it would be possible, and make sense technically, for them to reterminate your existing cables with XLR connectors.
Also, I would particularly emphasize this point which Dave made in his post:
If you would prefer not to make your own cables, as Elizabeth suggested, you might want to consider trying relatively inexpensive Mogami Gold Studio. It is the interconnect cable of choice in pro audio applications, and if you research past threads here at Audiogon you'll find a number of audiophiles reporting its performance as being comparable to or exceeding that of much more expensive audiophile-oriented cables in their systems. Although as might be expected that finding is not unanimous.
Good luck as you proceed. Regards,
-- Al
Looking at the photos provided at the Darwin site, my guess is that is not the case with your particular cables, and the wires used for the two versions are different, but I can't tell conclusively. So it might be worth checking with Darwin to see if it would be possible, and make sense technically, for them to reterminate your existing cables with XLR connectors.
Also, I would particularly emphasize this point which Dave made in his post:
It is possible that a lower-priced XLR cable would sound as good or better than a more expensive single ended cable with your differentially balanced equipment.I would not assume that the sonic attributes you have found to be preferable with the RCA-version Darwin cables as used with your previous components, relative to other cables you may have tried, would occur similarly with XLR-version Darwin cables with your new components. Even if the components were the same (which apparently they are not in this case), balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA interconnections operate on different principles, and involve interface circuitry in the components that are being connected that is not the same.
If you would prefer not to make your own cables, as Elizabeth suggested, you might want to consider trying relatively inexpensive Mogami Gold Studio. It is the interconnect cable of choice in pro audio applications, and if you research past threads here at Audiogon you'll find a number of audiophiles reporting its performance as being comparable to or exceeding that of much more expensive audiophile-oriented cables in their systems. Although as might be expected that finding is not unanimous.
Good luck as you proceed. Regards,
-- Al