Newbie: unbalanced versus XLR on DAC

I have an Arcam rDAC that I'd like to hook up to some monoblock amps and Thiel PCS speakers.

I know the consensus is that XLR > unbalanced inputs, but is the difference so great that I should go out and get a new DAC? Or all other things being equal is balanced okay?

(And consensus is also that long interconnects and short speaker cable runs is better than the other way round, right?)

Thanks very much!