RCA or XLR?

Yes and does the topology take full advantage of balanced or just pastes an el cheapo balanced output on what is really a SE circuit…. 

I prefer balanced XLR because it helps reduce background noise

Based on my extensive experience, I also prefer balanced XLR all the way.  However, in the end, as always, preferences are all subjective to each individual.  Happy listening.   

I have found the quality and synergy of the wire matters first. Then the which connection sounds best is component dependent. Not too long ago I upgraded to all ARC equipment. I had Transparent interconnects which are outstanding sounding, transparent interconnects. I started up decades ago, so I had all RCA. ARC recommends using XLR. So, I got an XLR and made comparisons... with the same wire and some others. My conclusion was that I could not hear a meaningful difference between the XLR and RCA (ARC is internally balanced , but they put a  lot of work into the conversion to non-balanced), but that the world has been migrating to balanced, both in component design and in interconnects so, I bought all new XLR. 

There was a large cost to this. Many high end XLR interconnects are much more expensive. In my case, if I could not have afforded the extra cost RCA would have been a great choice. 

But as noted above, you have to check. If you have high end equipment that is balanced... I'd simply go with XLR. 

I find moderately priced xlr cables to be as good as expensive rca’s.