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Phono stage options - balanced with XLR both input and output...

I really like my Elac PPA-2, it's surprisingly good and has bested the few others I've tried.  I use XLR/balanced for input and output (for the first time with this one).

It is starting to glitch, and I am considering purchasing another one ('preowned'), but before I do wanted to check here what options you know of in terms of fully balanced phono stages with XLR input and output.

go4vinyl

Showing 2 responses by joenies

joenies's avatar
joenies
258 posts
 

I have in my collection a Aesthetix I/O Eclipse. It has both balanced and SE inputs and outputs.

‘When I upgraded my phono cable I asked my audio dealer about going with a balanced cable. He informed me that even though the I/O has balanced input and the circuit is a balanced design that the designer of the I/O (Mr Jim White) doesn’t recommend going with a balanced input. His opinion was that a SE works/sounds better. My dealer got into the technicalities of why but the info was above my understanding at that time. I do run a balanced output. So I took his advice and got a SE phono cable.

Both would work. Maybe one day I’ll buy a balanced phono cable and judge for myself. Cables can be expensive to very expensive.

Joe Nies

joenies's avatar
joenies
258 posts
 

Hello mijostyn

It is my understanding now that the Aesthetixs I/O first stage is SE not balanced. Therefore the reason for using a SE cable.

‘I wish manufacturers would stop putting XLR/Balanced connectors on equipment that’s not truly balanced. I don’t see any benefit in doing that. It is my understanding that the I/O does have a true Balanced output.

Sorry for the confusion on my part.

Joe

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