Balanced or single ended phono cable to Aesthetix Io?

o_holter, I just got the idea from the Wavestream Deluxe Phono, which had similar arrangement, only that both input and loading jacks are RCA.

 

In my system, I prefer 200 ohm with the Ortofon A90.

Since the Io has a single-ended input, using a balanced interconnect will still result in a single-ended connection.

The benefit of a balanced connection is that the interconnect cable will cease to have an influence on the sound of the system. It seems to me that the phono input is the best place for this sort of immunity.

Balanced (XLR) cables are significantly better where the cable is longer than 30+ feet. However, there is an opinion that the balanced circuitry that processes the balanced signal can vary greatly from one component to another so you can never be certain of whether the signal is not being coloured by that circuitry.

Single ended is much better suited to shorter runs and with the right cable architecture/geometry can out perform XLR and there is no processing of the signal - other than amplification

I'm not shooting- but I am correcting. Balanced operation offers advantages even in short runs. You know how with a single-ended cable you have to audition it to make sure it works in your system? If the balanced line is set up according to the balanced standard (which is very easy with phono, since its a balanced source to begin with) then the interconnect cable will not impose an artifact. I've seen audiophiles spend upwards of $2000 on a 1 meter cable, while you can get a $200 balanced cable of the same length to sound better.

Balanced operation is only amplification- there is no further processing of the signal.  You are actually doing more processing of the signal when you go single-ended, as you are taking a balanced source (the phono cartridge) and then converting its output to single-ended. Why not just run it balanced all the way? Its cheaper as far as the interconnect is concerned and it sounds better.

I am much - but not fully - in line with Atmasphere on this, since his experience agrees with mine. Balanced is usually better. I also agree with Williewonka, and nkj. I think the quality of the cable plays a role, though, even in balanced mode. Balanced cables also perform differently in my system, although the variation in single ended cables is even greater. I am using a rather "naked" classical well-rated cable, the Kimber KCAG (single ended), in a DIY mod to make a phono cable (soldered to the mini-DIN plug at the tonearm side). I did this because I always liked the KCAG compared to various other single ended IC’s. The cable needs dressing, but even then, I can sometimes hear phones etc.it is a bit like an antenna. But aside of this it makes music in a light (should I say silvery) and airy way that I like. Nkj - I also tried a Hovland cable (single ended), yes it was nice, better tuned to the task I think, but it did not totally outperform the KCAG. I was a bit disappointed. - My experience with balanced / xlr is that there may be a price to pay, also, for the shielding, a less open and immediate sound. Not at all sure about this, just my two cent reflection.
"Why not just run balanced all the way" - my thought also - even if, in my case, the effect will be diminished by the (SE) first gain stage of the Io. - Thanks for all advice. I will certainly try both options, as soon as I get the Io back from repair. Tell you more then. In the meantime, more experiences from users of similar systems are welcome.