Balanced or single ended phono cable to Aesthetix Io?

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.

Balanced in - on phono for this design is over-rated

I like the new KLE phono RCA connectors on some braided silver and cotton sheathed wire I am using now for the Io on the Kuzma 4 point and Brinkmann 12.1 arms I have currently.I have experimented with heavy metal connectors and the KLE and the advantage goes to the KLE in my experience. Heavy balanced neutrik connectors were the other choice.

 I don't nearly have the most sophisticated table on the market but it would cost many tens of thousands of dollars for me to buy all over again. So, I think I have good perspective based on what I have and what I have heard.

On a fully  balanced design there may or may not be a difference -you have to try.

I listened to the MP 3 from time to time with unbalanced connectors at al local dealer- funny they have never- had balanced phono cable on that unit ever in my experience and it sounds good.  Very infrequently the same dealer would have an MP-1 but that was never run with balanced phono either - its a much nicer preamp for the extra $$$.

I wouldn't make my phono pre amp decision on true balanced phono input capability. There are plenty of high quality good sounding designs without it. The engineering science says it irrefutably should be better.... but try to find an opportunity to compare and see for yourself.

So Jim White would explain his design as some sort of quasi balanced and Atamasphere will correctly indicate that balanced is balanced and any trickery to use a balanced connector is incorrect. Proof is in the sound - even the theoretical advantage of balanced may not prove to be worthwhile in a home environment despite the fundamental balanced operation of a phono cartridge.

Good luck

+1 on the KLE RCA's - I use them everywhere and they are much better than all other RCA's I have tried - including WBT

KLE IC's and speaker cables also rock and worth every penny

I think the quality of the cable plays a role, though, even in balanced mode.

What plays a much larger role in the sound of the cable is how its constructed (as opposed to quality), which is to say that if done correctly it will be a twisted pair within a shield.

Beyond that, the shield is ignored both at the input and output of the cable. If this is not the case, then the construction of the cable will become audible. This is why the balanced standard specifies that the shield connection is for shielding only and not signal return.

This fact if often ignored in both high end audio and also in some studio gear! It is also why there are high end uber expensive balanced cables now.

My Io has been on repair. Meanwhile I bought a used ASR mini basic to be able to play vinyl (much good sound for c 700 usd, but no Io of course),  which is single ended only. Therefore, I have not been able to follow up on single ended vs balanced. I am considering, when the Io comes back, trying a Heimdall 2 tonearm cable with XLR, that I can get to a fair price. Or maybe, I am better served by rewiring my SME V tonearm direct to the phono preamp (some services offer this - cf smetonearms.com).