Balanced XLR vs RCA for phono stage

In your case, having high quality RCA, I presume not having any existing problem, there is no advantage.

My limited XLR experiences:

I tried 30 lf run, no improvement, because I didn’t have a problem to solve, no interference potential/realities.

Short runs in home audio systems (no mics, mixers, eq ...), where no problem exists, make no logical sense regarding the XLR’s different design/interference resistance, yet I tried short 6’ XLR runs.

In one case (not all cases): two advantages, not sound quality improvements.

a. XLR are locking connectors, so movement of other cables will not inadvertently disturb XLR’s.

Note: I converted all my RCA’s to LOCKING connectors, that problem’s gone. However, heavy RCA cables, locked connector or not, can be a lot of weight pulling down on the less sturdy RCA jacks. One set of my rca jacks is beginning to feel less than solid, I will be taking the cover off, checking them out, to prevent real trouble.

b. XLR from my SACD player sends a slight increase in volume compared to it’s RCA output. Is it the cable, or is it the player’s output? In any case, use of XLR from that unit is yielding a slight volume increase.

Suppose you have a progressively noisy volume control like I had on a prior 60’s receiver (don’t go past 11), a slight increase of incoming volume might help keep the noisy volume control a bit lower/less noise.

cleeds

thanks for the specs of XLR volume increase. That amount of stronger signal strength is significant.

That was the 2nd advantage I noted in my original post, but mine was 'stronger signal' without specifics. I tried XLR/RCA with other components, extra volume was not apparent.

Therefore, can you get specifics for OP's specific unit, and then predict signal strength?

macg19 OP

you could buy a pair of XLR from a source that allows returns, try/keep/return