VTL 5.5 Series II, possibilty of XLR phono connection


Hi,

I have a couple of questions.

1. I have VTL 5.5 Series II Preamplifier with a phono stage installed. Aux2 is RCA input for phono connection. There are also CD and Aux1 inputs allows both RCA and XLR connection. Is it possible to use one of these XLR inputs to connect my turntable with a tonearm cable that have XLR plugs? Probably not but I just wanted to ask before buying a new tonearm cable for my Linn LP12 turntable. Currently I use Linn tonearm cable with RCA plugs connected to Phono/Aux2 input.

2. Is there any sonic advantage of buying a tonearm cable with XLR connectors as opposed to RCA connectors when connecting to the phono stage? Uusing an XLR connection for CD, streamer has a great sonic advantage but I am not sure if there would be any advantage for the phono connection if I can use XLR with my preamp. I was informed by someone in the past that "because a cartridge is a true balanced device therefore some manufacturers produce phono stage with balanced inputs (XLR Connectors) however in truth a phono stage is also a balanced device so can be connected with XLR or RCA and it should not make a difference." If this is true I will buy a tonearm cable with RCA plugs.

Many thanks

Mahmut

128x128marin2001

Showing 1 response by holmz

Hi,

I have a couple of questions.

1. I have VTL 5.5 Series II Preamplifier with a phono stage installed. Aux2 is RCA input for phono connection. There are also CD and Aux1 inputs allows both RCA and XLR connection. Is it possible to use one of these XLR inputs to connect my turntable with a tonearm cable that have XLR plugs?

No, it needs to go into AUX2

 

Probably not but I just wanted to ask before buying a new tonearm cable for my Linn LP12 turntable. Currently I use Linn tonearm cable with RCA plugs connected to Phono/Aux2 input.

^that^ sounds like it will work.

 

2. Is there any sonic advantage of buying a tonearm cable with XLR connectors as opposed to RCA connectors when connecting to the phono stage?

In theory a small benefit, but I would not worry. 

 

Using an XLR connection for CD, streamer has a great sonic advantage but I am not sure if there would be any advantage for the phono connection if I can use XLR with my preamp. I was informed by someone in the past that "because a cartridge is a true balanced device therefore some manufacturers produce phono stage with balanced inputs (XLR Connectors) however in truth a phono stage is also a balanced device so can be connected with XLR or RCA and it should not make a difference." If this is true I will buy a tonearm cable with RCA plugs.

Or some people run a balanced tonearm into a Step Up Transformer (SUT) when using a MC cartridge. Maybe some have a balanced input and an RCA output?? (Dunno…)

Sort of depends on whether you want to run a moving magnet or a moving coil cartridge. 

 

 If this is true I will buy a tonearm cable with RCA plugs..

Yeah… I do that and call it a day.
Does it already have that cable on the Linn?