Balanced XLR vs RCA for phono stage

Ultra-low capacitance but shielded RCA terminated cables, the shorter, the better - never longer than one meter. And an external chassis ground cable, as heavy as practical for minimal resistance at the ground plane.
Anything else would be wasteful and unnecessary, and most likely, inferior.

@stager Without any consideration for my components, cables, or their proximity to each other, this statement, especially "wasteful and unnecessary, and most likely, inferior", is nonsense. (and if true, why do you sell XLR cables?)

I did install a same brand/model XLR interconnect a few days ago.

It took about 10 seconds for me to know the XLR's were staying.

The increased gain was significant, but not like increasing the cart gain, which I did not like at all. For sure there was also a s/n benefit.

I was able to a/b test XLR and RCA at the same time, and yes I adjusted the amp gain to account for louder is better.

What blew me (and my wife) away, was the change in presence / imaging / holography.  

It was like getting a new cart/PS and amp all at once. 

Was it poor implementation of the single ended circuits in the Goldnote and/or BAT?

Or phenomenal implementation of their balanced circuits?

Don't know, don't care.

Best $360 I ever spent in audio. 

macg19

I did install a same brand/model XLR interconnect a few days ago. It took about 10 seconds for me to know the XLR's were staying. The increased gain was significant ... there was also a s/n benefit ... What blew me (and my wife) away, was the change in presence / imaging / holography ...

Good for you for ignoring the naysayers and finding out for yourself. I've found components that are truly balanced usually sound best when connected in a balanced configuration for the same reasons you note.

I've found that BAT gear sounds better using balanced connections myself.  Glad it worked out for you.