Balanced in phono stages preamp?

Agree completely with Jfrech.

I use balanced as much as anything because it's a more secure and firmer fitting connection for my oversize cables, less likely to strain connections than the light weight RCA's.

I do think the balanced in on my Aesthetix Io is a bit better but not enough that I would suggest a person sell off their RCA to change. Next time you upgrade I suggest going for the XLR though, assuming your preamp supports it.

My turntable is the Walker, I ordered a spare (brass) connector plate for it and bored it for XLR. I kept the original RCA connector plate version in case I ever needed to switch back.

The Rowland Cadence features a truly balanced circuit (i.e., not just XLR connections that lead to a single-ended circuit). A phono cartridge produces a balanced signal, so a balanced phono stage has a certain logic.

I had an Aesthetix IO and it had a balanced input but as I recall it is not a balanced preamp, it converts to single ended in the input stage and then uses a differential amplifier to recreate a balanced signal.

Einslein offers a fully balanced phono stage.

I also have a BAT VKP10SE super Pak and have noticed significant improvement utilizing the balanced inputs. Also you can place the phono amp a distance from your pre amp by utilizing the balanced outputs.