VPI scout question

I was thinking about buying a phono stage that only has balanced (XLR) inputs. Like a BMC MCCI. Now I know VPI sells a XLR junction box. However these are rather expensive I think €250 or €350 for the Vahalla. But are these really neccecary? Would it be ok if I made a RCA to XLR cable and leave pin 1 (ground) on the XLR open. Would I then have the connect the centre of the RCA to pin 2 and the outside of the RCA to pin 3? or vice versa.

Or is the RCA junction box wired in a way that this is impossible to do.

Or would it be better to just buy a phono stage with RCA inputs?