Phono Stage with XLR outs

@patrickalston I am currently evaluating Whest Two.2. I plan to give it a full break in before I make a decision and start chasing down other option if even necessary. 

If you don't mind older pieces of gear my Pass Labs Xono has XLR.

It's one fine sounding phono preamp. One thing, if it hasn't been recapped it's time to get in there.

I’m digging the Whest so far! The factory setting for MC is 100ohm and 65db gain. I’m using XLR outs and that adds 6db. Most likely higher than ideal. 
I emailed Whest Audio with a question on what they think would be the best starting point for the settings with my cartridge for this phono stage using XLR. I had a reply in 20 minutes from James Henriot, CEO and Head of Design. He recommends I lower it to 60db which I did. It’s calmer now. I’m letting it break in but listening occasionally. 

Just because a phono stage has XLR outputs does not mean that it is operating in a fully balanced mode.  A fully balanced phono stage will typically have XLR intputs and XLR outputs.

@bobsdevices true. The premise of having a phono stage with XLR outs was to be able to use XLR cables between it and my integrated amp that only accepts XLR. I have never stated having a fully balanced phono stage was a requirement.