True, we all hear differently and have different preferences.
Yeah there's only so much you can read which is great because it gives you a good starting point, but the real proof is in the listening for yourself.
I also am using balanced cable, and haven't as yet tried the single ended cable that came with the headphones, just balanced with the GS-X mk2, I will tryout the SE cable, but for now I'm sticking with balanced.
I pretty much think that at this price point everything comes down to preference instead of audio quality. You're already like 95-99% there as close to the original source, but your DAC and amps of choice can tailor your personal music to your personal preferences - some became even better than the mastering copies with the all tubes and preamps and planar magnetic drivers being sold and traded.