I have a history in killing 2 way bookshelf speakers even with a highpass set at 80 Hz and additional subwoofers. Now I’m using a 3 way setup (2x 10" + coaxial Horn) + 2 dual 18" Subwoofers.

1 TB own 96k24 Vinyl Rips, 4TB FLAC from other sources including SACD to FLAC conversions.

Three 3 way “bookshelf” speakers (2x10" + Coaxial Horn) + 2 2x18" Subwoofers. One is only used on mono records.

This setup is technically streaming all the time as it uses Dante to connect A/D and D/A converters and the DSP-PC. This PC serves as room eq and crossover.

Ryzen 7 5700G 32GB RAM 128GB storage. Music goes in and out via Dante DVS

I installed balanced connections on many turntables in the past including

Sony PX-X800, Sony PS-X555es, Pioneer PLX-1000, Pioneer PL-L1000 and a Pro-Ject Studie (the only Pro-Ject to this date with two tonearms) and some Thorens and Rega

1. check if the is a connection between the blue or green wire and ground without installed cartridge using a multimeter. If you found one remove it. (often the case on Rega Turntables

2)remove the RCA terminals or the installed cable and replace it with an XLR Cable. My Pioneer PL-X1000 got 6,3mm TRS Sockets instead.

3. White or Red -> Pin 2, Blue goes to Pin3 next to white, Green goes in the other plug with the red wire, Ground goes in the shielding of the cable and PIN 1

4. Check if your cartridge connects the shielding to green or blue. this has to be removed (The small golden thing on the green pin). I falled into this and got nasty hum on the right channel with my VM740ML. The VM95 Series and all MC Cartriges I ever had are fine. you can connect the shielding to the black toneram ground wire found on a Pro-Ject Tonearm in case you hear AM radio stations. for me floating shielding works just fine.

https://www.maplatine.com/en/mm-cartridges/3837-audio-technica-vm-740-ml-mm-cartridge.html

5. you can also wire your stepup transformer in balanced mode if you use one.

6)you can also use a high quality microphone amplifier like the Focusrite ISA Two instead of a phonopreamp for MC carts. RIAA Equalisation can also be done in software. Great for listening to vintage records released before the 1953 standartisation.

6. Room treatment, room treatment and more room treatment.

7. No source direct. Calibration of the system is necessary

8. No passive crossovers

9. only balanced connections in the analogue world, reduce them to a minimum and install balanced connections on all turntables

10. Big speakers, subwoofers and powerful amplifiers. (4x 400W + 2x 100W per side). There must be enough headroom for dynamic recordings.