I have shared my experience with and impressions of four different tonearm wires in (actually, with the exception of the VDH, “on” is more accurate) my Eminent Technology ET2 tangential tracking arm- the stock VDH silver clad copper, Cardas, Discovery and finally AudioNote silver in a “continuous run from cartridge clips to preamp”. I won’t bore anyone with those impressions again. I also did share that aside from the clearly superior sonics of the AN, the fact that it is far and away the thinnest and most supple of the four allowed for much easier and consistent balancing of the arm. I still own the three different replacement wire looms.
I bring this up again only to point out that it is entirely possible for owners of pivoting tonearms to use a wire loom of a very supple wire such as the AN to run a “continuous from cartridge clips to preamp” EXTERNALLY while leaving the arm in its stock form. That is precisely what I did with my back up arm (Syrinx PU3) when I needed to take the ET2 off my turntable; once when the air pump broke down and once when I needed to dismantle the arm to clean the air capillaries.
What I have done is secure the AN wire (twisted pairs) to the underside of the arm tube at two or three points along its span with thin strips of easily removable painters trim tape. Then create a generous loop around the pivot point, dressed and secured at some point where the arm’s movement won’t be impaired and then continue onward to the preamp. The AN is so thin and supple that whatever amount of additional resistance it may add to the movement of the tonearm is unlikely to be a negative factor; it is that flexible compared to the others. Of course, the wire is totally unshielded and in some listening room environments this may cause issues with noise. I have not experienced this.
Point is that the curious can experience first hand the benefits of “continuous to preamp” tonearm wiring without taking the plunge to full modification of their arm. Frankly, I’ve always been surprised that only one participant in these discussions has ever tried this; to the best of my knowledge. When one considers the amounts that are spent on tweaks and other items that end up in “the drawer” no longer used, the cost of trying this is very reasonable. Moreover, if one likes what one hears perhaps the very same wire can be supplied to a professional modifier and reduce the cost of a more permanent internal wiring. I would be shocked if most who try this were not, likewise, shocked at the improvement in the sound of their lp playback.