Triplanar RCA out to Balanced out for MP-1

Nandric, you speakers are simply in no danger regardless of what you do with the arm. It all has to do with what you do with the volume control :)

With the grounds set up in this manner, there is no chance of a ground loop.

Hi Nandric, tie the ground connection of the arm to pin 1 of the XLR. If the shield has 2 conductors inside, then the shield will tie to pin 1 of the XLR also. That way you get a proper balanced connection from the arm to the preamp.

Lewm and Nandric, this is why I recommend that the tone arm ground wire and the shield both be tied to pin 1 of the XLR. No hum problems! I have even used Kimber wire between the arm and preamp (using an SME V, not a Triplanar) and no hum at all.

A phono cartridge is a naturally balanced source and does not need a special circuit to convert it to balanced operation- just the right hookup.