Balanced XLR vs RCA for phono stage

@cleeds From the Goldnote manual: (Output specs) Unbalanced RCA @ 2V and balanced XLR @ 4V

The specs on their website show +12dB for the balanced output.

To your point, that seems like a lot of gain or s/n.

@atmasphere thanks for the info. In my case, the GoldNote phono stage appears to be a true balanced output that is rated in their specs as follows

“Unbalanced RCA @ 2V and balanced XLR @ 4V” 

also “Balanced Output +12dB” (compared to RCA)

Does that sound like a good implementation of a Balanced output?

I am pretty sure the int- amp, BAT VK 3500 is properly designed for balanced input.

Thoughts?

@atmasphere Thanks Ralph. I've asked Goldnote and BAT to weigh in but I'm trying out an XLR cable regardless.

@elliottbnewcombjr I've ordered the same Zavfino Fusion cable but in XLR - it should be a good (fair) comparison. I'm away this week so won't get to try them until Sunday, will report back.

Thanks all for the feedback.

The middle diagram matches the Zavfino XLR cable so if BAT and Goldnote got it right too, I should be good.

Thanks for posting.

Another thought (rhetorical question)...given the benefits of XLR in pro audio over long distances, why would high-end home audio designers bother implementing XLR if there was no sonic benefit over relatively short distances?

@ditusa thanks - missed the first article, will read both this afternoon.

GoldNote said they are AES compliant 

@ditusa the article from Ralph was interesting and answers the question I asked about the benefits of XLR in home audio. Comments about cable auditioning were also interesting.

Comparing the same cable RCA vs XLR may also be interesting.

@ghdprentice the reference was pro audio, long run mic cables etc.

I did install a same brand/model XLR interconnect a few days ago.

It took about 10 seconds for me to know the XLR's were staying.

The increased gain was significant, but not like increasing the cart gain, which I did not like at all. For sure there was also a s/n benefit.

I was able to a/b test XLR and RCA at the same time, and yes I adjusted the amp gain to account for louder is better.

What blew me (and my wife) away, was the change in presence / imaging / holography.  

It was like getting a new cart/PS and amp all at once. 

Was it poor implementation of the single ended circuits in the Goldnote and/or BAT?

Or phenomenal implementation of their balanced circuits?

Don't know, don't care.

Best $360 I ever spent in audio. 

Ultra-low capacitance but shielded RCA terminated cables, the shorter, the better - never longer than one meter. And an external chassis ground cable, as heavy as practical for minimal resistance at the ground plane.
Anything else would be wasteful and unnecessary, and most likely, inferior.

@stager Without any consideration for my components, cables, or their proximity to each other, this statement, especially "wasteful and unnecessary, and most likely, inferior", is nonsense. (and if true, why do you sell XLR cables?)

@tko956 thank you

@cleeds @ghdprentice AI, that makes sense now. @tokushi  completely ignored details in my OP, and that I had already moved forward and a/b tested same brand/model cables and posted my opinion.