1. A dedicated phono cable is usually lighter guage than a std. IC to carry that minute signal. It generally uses two identical conductors for signal-- which might not necessarily be true of a general-purpose IC, where shield could be functioning as a return or be connected to the return at both ends of the cable. But I don't think there is any rule about this.
2. The ground wire to the TT is not an electrical ground. It is a chassis ground. So in connecting it you may have some small relief from RFI and potential problems with static electricity.
3. A phono cartridge is not strictly a balanced source; it is sometimes called a floating balanced source. Just two conductors per channel in opposite phase from each other (representing the ends of a coil), and no electrical ground. Neither end of the cartridge coil has an inherent ground orientation, just an inverted phase relationship in AC with respect to the other conductor (like a loudspeaker). By converting it to an XLR plug you are not really getting the benefits of a balanced source, but may be losing up to 6db to noise(as per prior Audio Asylum post by Victor Khomenko of BAT).
Rather than use an RCA/RCA-to-RCA or RCA/XLR converter, I suggest eliminating excess metal and metal-to-metal contact with a cable terminated DIN-to-RCA or DIN-to-XLR (Assuming your arm has a DIN plug.)
4. I too have a Helikon, which I prefer loaded down with 100R in a BAT P10 phono stage. Subjectively I'm not hearing your 10kHz peak, but I have not taken measurements. Possibly room effect??
5. Please clarify your speaker binding post arrangement. The purpose of biwiring is generally to separate the treble & bass arrays via separate cables back to the amp. Leaving jumpers between the w & t binding posts would defeat the purpose but would not be harmful.
Dave
2. The ground wire to the TT is not an electrical ground. It is a chassis ground. So in connecting it you may have some small relief from RFI and potential problems with static electricity.
3. A phono cartridge is not strictly a balanced source; it is sometimes called a floating balanced source. Just two conductors per channel in opposite phase from each other (representing the ends of a coil), and no electrical ground. Neither end of the cartridge coil has an inherent ground orientation, just an inverted phase relationship in AC with respect to the other conductor (like a loudspeaker). By converting it to an XLR plug you are not really getting the benefits of a balanced source, but may be losing up to 6db to noise(as per prior Audio Asylum post by Victor Khomenko of BAT).
Rather than use an RCA/RCA-to-RCA or RCA/XLR converter, I suggest eliminating excess metal and metal-to-metal contact with a cable terminated DIN-to-RCA or DIN-to-XLR (Assuming your arm has a DIN plug.)
4. I too have a Helikon, which I prefer loaded down with 100R in a BAT P10 phono stage. Subjectively I'm not hearing your 10kHz peak, but I have not taken measurements. Possibly room effect??
5. Please clarify your speaker binding post arrangement. The purpose of biwiring is generally to separate the treble & bass arrays via separate cables back to the amp. Leaving jumpers between the w & t binding posts would defeat the purpose but would not be harmful.
Dave