XLR versus RCA

[Al ears]

Not only are these the cables used in production, they're also made to last. If they survive recording studio's and music venues, they'll survive every living room.

And that's the point, they don't get the same abuse in a hifi set-up so are unnecessary, also the reason many HiFi manufacturers don't go with the added expense of fitting them.

 

[manicm]

Here's my rule - if a component is truly balanced, and not piggy backing off the unbalanced topology, then use the balanced socketry.

 

[matthewpianist]

A few years ago I had Quad Artera Play (CD/pre) and Stereo (power). I tried balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA versions of the same QED cable, and heard not a jot of difference, and this was with several different pairs of speakers. Go with whatever you have and enjoy the music.

Balanced connections have their place in pro-audio and live music applications, where I have found ruggedness and noise rejection over long runs to be invaluable, but aren't necessary in a domestic environment.

 

[Al ears]

A few years ago I had Quad Artera Play (CD/pre) and Stereo (power). I tried balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA versions of the same QED cable, and heard not a jot of difference, and this was with several different pairs of speakers. Go with whatever you have and enjoy the music.

Balanced connections have their place in pro-audio and live music applications, where I have found ruggedness and noise rejection over long runs to be invaluable, but aren't necessary in a domestic environment.

I would agree.
Always liked the ridgitity of an XLR connection but would pay out just to get a pair of interconnects if I didn't already have a pair