Phono Stage with XLR outs

audphile, Since Whest uses an add-on circuit to convert the SE output to balanced, I am not sure there would be any difference in the gain, either way. Do you think you hear a difference, in terms of gain? In any case, the added gain from the balanced outputs would be no problem. Just use the attenuator to compensate. You can't hurt anything.

@lewm I 100% hear the difference in gain. With 65db it sounded aggressive, the instruments took on a “processed” quality and the overall presentation was way too dramatic with overdone dynamics. 
Lowering the gain to 60db relaxed the presentation and smoothed out the rough edges. 
I honestly can’t agree with “gain is gain” that some people think you can just manage with a volume knob. This has never been my experience. 
 

With more hours on both the cartridge and the Whest, the combo is shining. My only concern is - will I like the sonic characteristics of it in a long run. It’s super clean, low noise, low distortion, quiet and natural sounding but the cleanliness of it makes it sound like a good and refined digital front end. Very modern type of sound. I attribute it to the Clearaudio Concept table and the Whest. I remember using Sutherland 20/20 with Mofi UltraDeck and same cartridge gave me more of a traditional analog sound. Nevertheless I like it and have been enjoying listening to my record collection once again. I have probably under 30hrs on the cartridge snd it is still breaking in. Bass is coming around now. It’s actually mind boggling how good this combination is. Let’s see if it passes the test of time. 

The question I addressed is whether the balanced outputs really add 6db gain vs the SE outputs, not whether 65 is better or worse sounding than 60.

I did not compare rca to xlr outs - don’t want to use the adapters. My understanding is gain settings are the same for rca and xlr outs but xlr out is a hotter signal that adds about 6db. That’s my understanding. Again switching to 60db resulted in more natural sound. 

Did Whest tell you the XLRs on their unit are 6db hotter than the RCAs?