One thing not stated here is the equipment, meaning, are you using the XLR cables on equipment that has been designed as a balanced circuit? It is my experience (with my Amp, DAC, and Tuner) that some equipment sounds better with XLR because of its circuitry. You should consider this as well. It often is the reason why short XLR runs (.5m or 1m, not just long runs, will sound better. Good luck!
