Hello Ryan and welcome to the Cow Audio Forum.
The name of this forum is "Audio Professionals." Bob and Peter are giving good advice here.
Balanced and properly shielded XLR audio is of higher quality than 1/8"TRS.
Balanced audio is not perfect, but it's much better. There is more signal over a balanced pair so you're higher above the noise floor of the system. You are also higher above any interference that may be present. Then there are the features Bob and Peter mentioned.
You don't know until you know. I had a pro audio friend recently tell me about his experience the first time he used a Sound Devices 442 mixer. After plugging in some mics and listening he said he noticed a very noticeable difference in the quality of the sound (even over other balanced professional mixers). I own a 442 and knew exactly what he meant.
So going XLR brings you up to a new level, but even within XLR land, all are not equal.
If you are planning on making a living with your craft, buying right once means you never have to make excuses to yourself or your client. Good recorders and mics will last a long time and not be obsoleted like cameras.
Regards,
Ty Ford

Cow Audio Forum Leader
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