XLR vs RCA interconnect

Still wondering which way to go here. Salesguy in my area claims that if we are comparing the 2 types of interconnect, same quality cable, that the XLR would only make a difference if you had very long runs. I only need 2 or 3 feet.. Is that the only real difference between the two. I already have some pretty good RCA cable. So would investing in the balanced cable just be a waste of money??? Art

It would if the rest of the system is not balanced. The circuitry has to be designed for a balanced configuration, otherwise you just have a fancy RCA.

That is also the way I understand XLR. They are better if you have long runs over 1 meter and they also help eliminate EMI/RF if your system is sensitive to that. I also heard they eliminate ground loop problems that RCA's can sometimes cause. But as stated, your configuration say from Pre-amp to amp must also have XLR outputs/inputs.

My amp and preamp have balanced ins and outs but not my cd player. I'm going to get a Blu ray player. Not sure if they have them or not. Art

XLR are intended for LOOOOOONG runs or where there is a lot of unwanted interference (is there ever WANTED interference?!?). Unless you are experiencing some sort of RF interference, it probably won't make any difference.

I heard after 10'-0" it's time to switch over to XLR's

I don't think Blue-ray has XLR, you want to use HDMI with your Blue-ray direct to TV.

Kind of makes you wonder why the offer them in half meter, one and 2 meter lengths. How many components would be 10ft apart anyway. Quess I should stick with good old RCA interconnect.

XLRs are usually destined to pro and commercial use where their extra shielding and noise rejection are more important. Their use in residential environments is fairly recent and usually limited to high end equipment, not the stuff that 99%+ of normal people use. This is also why the vast majority of consumers and sales people are so ignorant on their true virtues and applications.