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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
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solypsa's avatar
solypsa
462 posts
 

AudioSpecials Phonolab is balanced input and output. And really good. Different price point though. 

As much as I like balanced I wouldn't focus on it when trying to find the best phono imho.

Solypsa Audio

jperry
2,458 posts
 

Aesthetix Rhea has balanced and SE connections

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

lewm
13,335 posts
 

CH Precision

DSA Phono

Atma-sphere MP1 and MP3

There are more but I cannot conjure up the names offhand.

Be careful that you are getting a unit with a true balanced circuit inside.  Many companies obfuscate on that.  Some use a transformer or a chip to simulate balanced input or output.

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