Phono stage options - balanced with XLR both input and output...

There is no ground at the cartridge if run in balanced mode. A cartridge has two terminals which may be used to derive positive and negative phases, respectively, of a balanced signal. OR one side is grounded and output is taken from the remaining terminal, in an SE setup. I have no idea what Mijo means when he says that SE "strangles" the signal, but there are some advantages to balanced mode operation. like common mode noise rejection and added gain, compared to the exact same cartridge and phono set up in SE mode. I have never had a hum or buzz problem in a balanced phono set-up. But I also have an SE system that sounds wonderful. Based on experience, I am not dogmatic about balanced operation but I do prefer it. Holmz, the presence of XLR connectors does not necessarily mean that the signal is treated in balanced mode. I don't know what's inside your PH2, but AR is not known for balanced circuits.

Very interesting info, I now know a lot more thanks to you all!

I'll check out the ones you mention - AudioSpecials Phonolab has a sort of 'mini XLR' connection I've never seen before.

I tried XLR/balanced all the way on my Elac PPA-2, and it sounds awesome. I was curious about tube (or hybrid) balanced options. I tend to stay away in general from hot running gear as I am located in south FL and have a small listening room, but expect that there are phono stages that don’t emit that much heat (I have had a tube phono preamp which was nice and didn’t run too warm, single-ended though).

I realize I forgot to mention that MC is preferred as I use a Sumiko Starling cart and want to avoid step up transformer.

Zestos Andros Deluxe 2 (I own one) has balanced inputs and transformer coupled outputs.  Overall It is VERY quiet, and is at least as quiet as the solid state Pass XP15 that preceded it.  Using quiet American NOS 12DW7s and 12DF7 IIRC. 

lewm

AR is not known for balanced circuits.

You're mistaken - ARC was building balanced, differential amplifiers and preamplifiers long before the design became popular. The Reference One preamp goes back to the mid-90s, for example.

Boulder. All their gear is balanced, but their entry level phono is $5000 so there is that.