I hear that the Model 790 power amplifier and the next processor/preamp will include balanced outputs. Knowing that the technology and design requirements are already set for balanced (XLR) type cables, will we being seeing them early next year?

Balanced XLR cables have been around since the first half of the 20th century.

By the way, no current consumer equipment has true balanced outputs and inputs. What they have are "differential" or "electronically balanced" outputs and inputs. The only way to have a real balanced circuit is to use transformers, which are way too expensive to use in consumer equipment. Transformers have the advantage of completely isolating the circuit from all external references, such as ground, chassis ground or the active circuit elements.

I was refering to Outlaw XLR cables.

These new products coming from Outlaw will be using balanced outputs. Is this just a marketing ploy or will there be some benefit?

XLR inputs and outputs has been an often-requested feature in the "New Product Suggestions" section. We don't know much yet about how Outlaw is handling XLR. In many cases, manufacturers will put XLR plugs on equipment but wire the equipment in a single-ended fashion, making the balanced cables purely decorative. When wired differentially, they actually make full use of the XLR cable. Does it offer a benefit? From the discussions I've seen, probably not in a typical home theater. Maybe on some really long interconnect runs, but even that is a source of some debate.

Using differential or electronically balanced lines involves additional active electronic circuitry in the signal path. More active circuitry can never improve the signal, only degrade it, however slightly. That is why I always stress that unless you are running extremely long cables (well over 50 feet), go with the unbalanced connection if you have a choice.

Marketing departments love to pile on useless (or outright detrimental) "features" to equipment to make them seem more appealing.