I have a McIntosh C2300 preamp feeding a McIntosh MC402. They are 16 feet apart. I have used both Balanced XLR connections and RCA single ended connections. The balanced has sounded better every time. By the way the RCA Single ended cables were supposed to be more highly regarded and definitely way more expensive.
So, to answer your question, I found 16 feet the distance in my system.
I would suggest using the very best cable and connectors available, and if that means using XLR's, by all means use them.
So, to answer your question, I found 16 feet the distance in my system.
I would suggest using the very best cable and connectors available, and if that means using XLR's, by all means use them.