Considering switching to XLR cables,

@audioman58 ​​@panzrwagn  ...Ah, 2 schools of thought that seem to have some synergy that I could fart with since the mic cables aren't occupied all the time... *G*

Thank you both, +10👍

@mclinnguy Yeah, I've noticed that on a couple, but seems only in 2~3 of 2 dozen. 

Only had one disconnect itself entirely in my hand, guess QC was @ tea... 😏

Generally the price premium for XLRs over unbalanced cables is pretty small. Transparent are an outlier because the bulk of the cost of a Transparent cable is the networks. This is evident from the fact that Transparent charges relatively little for additional lengths of cable. But balanced Transparent cables need a network for both the hot and cold signals, hence the premium.

One small aspect of XLR's that I prefer is the fact that the pins and sockets in an XLR plug are identical, whereas in an RCA you have a circular negative connection that then has to transition to a different form factor to allow a wire to be soldered to it.

@OP Shunyata Thetas are worth adding to your audition list.

panzrwagn

In every imaginable parameter the XLR is superior to the RCA connector.

It's all about the implementation. I've seen some really horrible XLR connectors that I wouldn't want anywhere near my system. On the other hand, I've seen some really exquisite RCA connectors - some of which even lock - from manufacturers such as WBT. So there is good and bad quality of each.

But that's not the question. Is it audibly superior at lengths less than 5 meters? The answer is no.

I think it unlikely you'd be able to reliably hear differences between XLR and RCA terminations provided each are well built. If the XLRs terminate into balanced connections, you may very well be able to hear and measure differences. For example, many balanced components (such as Audio Research) will have 6 dB greater gain on the balanced connections. If you don't need that gain, you might want to consider that as 6 dB better S/N. Either way, that's a substantial difference and cable length has nothing to do with it.

I highly recommend looking into Cerious Technologies cables. I’ve used very expensive cables until I found Cerious. Bob’s XLRs are more resolving than other cables three to four times the price. Just take a look at their website. 
 

https://cerioustech.com
 

There is really very little difference between XLR and RCA. Most of us aren't going to need a cable longer than 2m.

I've had some great RCA cables and poor sounding XLR cables and vice versa.

Many high end valve amp manufacturers only provide RCA inputs.

I would say the OP's dilema is in finding synchronicity in his system - we've all been there!

Over the years I've used Cardas as my reference, they get along with most electronics.