Audio Origami is a great cable. If that's too much, for a little less you can buy the TWItter silver cable that's listed on ebay. I had a very good experience with that cable on two different turntables and three different arms before I moved up to something much more expensive that came with my current table.
Inexpensive Phono Cables Recommendations
I would appreciate a little advice from the Forum concerning phono cables recommendations.
As a threshold matter, I realize that the subject of phono cables has been exhausted on the Forum. So, please note that I have done my own research by reading through quite a few threads and have a general sense about the importance of phono cables. Although, asking an open-ended question about cable recommendations is a little like asking for "best speaker" recommendations (over 1300 posts on A'gon so far and still counting), it seems that the Cardas name comes up frequently.
I have two general questions: (1) How important are the I/C cables from the phono pre TO the line stage?? If important, I would appreciate some inexpensive suggestions that will yield a lot of bang for the buck. The cable I/Cs will need to run 10-12 feet from the phono pre to the line stage AND are RCA single ended. (2) I would appreciate some inexpensive suggestions for phono cables from the TT TO the phono pre. The phono cables will need to run roughly 5-6 feet from the TT to the phono pre and are also RCA single ended.
I realize that recommendations can be equipment specific, so here's a summary of the relevant equipment. Cartridge: (a) currently using a DV 20X2H MC, output voltage is 2.3 mV; but also (b) trying to buy a VPI Zephyr MI, output voltage is 2.4 mV, Zephyr looking to see 47K ohm impedance and 100-200 pF capacitance. TT is VPI Classic 1 w/ upgrade Classic 3 tone arm. Phono pre is an ARC PH-7, selectable input impedance (incl 47K ohm) and 200 pF capacitance. Linestage is an ARC Ref 3.
As can be seen from the specs listed above, the VPI Zephyr is looking to see between 100 and 200 pF of capacitance (I assume that's a "ceiling," not "floor"), BUT my PH-7 will present the cartridge with 200 pF of capacitance. So, on the surface, it appears that the cable I/Cs between the TT and the PH-7 should probably not present significant additional capacitance, or else, I assume, there may be a degradation of sonics.
Thanks.
P.S. I am embarrassed to disclose what I am currently using for phono I/Cs, but just assume that they are NOT strings held tauntly between Campbell Soup cans.
Oh. . . very important fact -- I do NOT use a ground wire and there is NO hum.
As a threshold matter, I realize that the subject of phono cables has been exhausted on the Forum. So, please note that I have done my own research by reading through quite a few threads and have a general sense about the importance of phono cables. Although, asking an open-ended question about cable recommendations is a little like asking for "best speaker" recommendations (over 1300 posts on A'gon so far and still counting), it seems that the Cardas name comes up frequently.
I have two general questions: (1) How important are the I/C cables from the phono pre TO the line stage?? If important, I would appreciate some inexpensive suggestions that will yield a lot of bang for the buck. The cable I/Cs will need to run 10-12 feet from the phono pre to the line stage AND are RCA single ended. (2) I would appreciate some inexpensive suggestions for phono cables from the TT TO the phono pre. The phono cables will need to run roughly 5-6 feet from the TT to the phono pre and are also RCA single ended.
I realize that recommendations can be equipment specific, so here's a summary of the relevant equipment. Cartridge: (a) currently using a DV 20X2H MC, output voltage is 2.3 mV; but also (b) trying to buy a VPI Zephyr MI, output voltage is 2.4 mV, Zephyr looking to see 47K ohm impedance and 100-200 pF capacitance. TT is VPI Classic 1 w/ upgrade Classic 3 tone arm. Phono pre is an ARC PH-7, selectable input impedance (incl 47K ohm) and 200 pF capacitance. Linestage is an ARC Ref 3.
As can be seen from the specs listed above, the VPI Zephyr is looking to see between 100 and 200 pF of capacitance (I assume that's a "ceiling," not "floor"), BUT my PH-7 will present the cartridge with 200 pF of capacitance. So, on the surface, it appears that the cable I/Cs between the TT and the PH-7 should probably not present significant additional capacitance, or else, I assume, there may be a degradation of sonics.
Thanks.
P.S. I am embarrassed to disclose what I am currently using for phono I/Cs, but just assume that they are NOT strings held tauntly between Campbell Soup cans.
Oh. . . very important fact -- I do NOT use a ground wire and there is NO hum.
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- 29 posts total
When I jumped back into the Audiophool arena a few years back, I had read some glowing reviews of the Music Boy cables made by Petra. I do not have them on my phono rig, but I do use them in other parts of the system. To my ears they sound quite good and they certainly were "inexpensive", I paid about $6.00 per metre pair. Google 'em, I'm sure someone is still selling 'em.. 6Moons Review: http://www.6moons.com/industryfeatures/realsizing/realsizing2.html -RW- |
Hi Macdadtexas. I was able to source a practically new VPI Zephyr cartrdige for a fair price. Not a steal, but fair. Frankly, I bought the Zephyr in part because of A'gon comments like yours. As you might pick up from my posts on other Foruum threads, I have had a hard time setting up my new Classic TT. I've suffered through several cartridges until I was able to pick up the Zephyr. I should get it later this week. I hope it works as well as reported by A'gon folks like you on the Forum. Anyway, I am looking to pick up a decent, but not too expensive, cable to link up the VPI to my phono pre. At that point, I hope I can end the TT fiddling and enjoy some great old vinyl. Thanks. |
I'm the guy quoted in the linked 6moons review above and while most of it is in the ancient history category, the Petra cables are still alive and well ... if you can find them. They are REALLY respectable ICs and come in the lengths you need and are cheap as dirt . Last I looked, there were some 6-footers on Amazon. I actually replaced a pair of Cardas Golden Cross ICs with Petras in a link from CD player to linestage, just to see how they performed, and they're still there. Good luck, Dave EDIT: That said, you're talking about a heck of a long run from tonearm to phonostage and while the Petras are shielded and can be used in such links, I'd sure try to get the turntable closer to the phonostage. |
- 29 posts total