VTL 5.5 Series II, possibilty of XLR phono connection

Hi,

I have a couple of questions.

1. I have VTL 5.5 Series II Preamplifier with a phono stage installed. Aux2 is RCA input for phono connection. There are also CD and Aux1 inputs allows both RCA and XLR connection. Is it possible to use one of these XLR inputs to connect my turntable with a tonearm cable that have XLR plugs?

No, it needs to go into AUX2

Probably not but I just wanted to ask before buying a new tonearm cable for my Linn LP12 turntable. Currently I use Linn tonearm cable with RCA plugs connected to Phono/Aux2 input.

^that^ sounds like it will work.

2. Is there any sonic advantage of buying a tonearm cable with XLR connectors as opposed to RCA connectors when connecting to the phono stage?

In theory a small benefit, but I would not worry. 

Using an XLR connection for CD, streamer has a great sonic advantage but I am not sure if there would be any advantage for the phono connection if I can use XLR with my preamp. I was informed by someone in the past that "because a cartridge is a true balanced device therefore some manufacturers produce phono stage with balanced inputs (XLR Connectors) however in truth a phono stage is also a balanced device so can be connected with XLR or RCA and it should not make a difference." If this is true I will buy a tonearm cable with RCA plugs.

Or some people run a balanced tonearm into a Step Up Transformer (SUT) when using a MC cartridge. Maybe some have a balanced input and an RCA output?? (Dunno…)

Sort of depends on whether you want to run a moving magnet or a moving coil cartridge. 

 If this is true I will buy a tonearm cable with RCA plugs..

Yeah… I do that and call it a day.
Does it already have that cable on the Linn?

Thank you very much for your replies.

Yes I have Linn tone arm cable that came with the Linn Akito arm. I recently listened to Inakustik Air series of cables (power, interconnect and speaker cables) and decided to replace my existing cables with Inakustik Air series. They made a huge positive difference with my system and I decided to buy a Reference Phono 2404 Air tonearm cable. It is not possible to listen my turntable before purchase but if I am expecting and hoping a significant improvement in sound based on my experience. The next change with my turntable will be a move to a MC cartridge.

Thanks again.