Installing a balanced loom - XLR/TRS or XLR/XLR and use further connections?

[sandy555]

Hi, just wondered if anybody could advise?
I've had a kit lay-out re-organisation for a bedroom studio and now have a rack unit that is approximately 5 metres from another rack that houses my interface, some other outboard and TRS connection jackfields.
I need to offer connectivity from this new rack to the main rack and ultimately terminate onto these TRS jackfields in the main rack.
In the new rack I have planned a few things that are all balanced line level so originally I was going to get an XLR - TRS loom with the TRS jack end easy to connect into the jackfield rears.
However, I have an old rack module id like to position in the new rack which has unbalanced line level stereo outs which is common...
Is 5 metres or so broadly enough of a distance to consider employing a stereo DI box to feed the signal to the other rack (ultimately into a Mic Pre rather than the jackfield directly?)
Therein, would I be better off getting an interconnection XLR - XLR loom and just accept I'll need to get a few short XLR - TRS leads to interconnect for the jackfield usage where required?
I'm swaying to this solution/option but thought id just ask....
Cheers

[Hugh Robjohns]

It's not the distance that's the issue here. It's more the risk of ground-loop noise via the unbalanced connections. A DI box (or line isolators box) would avoid that potential problem.... but it's also possible that it will work perfectly well if connected directly.

As to the loom format, choose whichever type will require the least number of adapter cables and provide the greatest convenience.

[sandy555]

Many thanks for this info, appreciated!