Phono cable recommendations - high performance good value cable


I know this is a loaded subject... but I did a search and there are posts from 6-7 years ago mainly on this...

So in this current time, what are good options for high transparency, ’honest’ interconnect cables for analog signal use. For context, I am using a VPI Classic 3 (with Koetsu Black or AT ART9 carts), so running RCA’s on both ends. Currently using Blue Jeans’ Belden shielded cables with teflon sleeve including ground wire...definitely a high value cable...

I tend to favor transparent, non-frequency-filter cabling - my ear prefers a slightly lively sound with big/wide soundstaging... - rest of my system uses Zu Varials and Gedes, if that gives you an idea. Have used Purist, Cardas and Nordost in the past... Purist is very smooth and slightly rolled off, Cardas very rolled off/saps energy from the music, Nordost quite transparent but flattens the soundstage some. Speaker cables are Mapleshades, very transparent...

For TT use, I sometimes run a Cinemag or other MC transformer, so that creates the need for add’l IC runs between TT and Xformer and phono preamp to line stage... so whatever small signal cabling used would have additive effects for shaping the sound.  Most critical of course is the first run off the cartridge, I realize... need shielding I think early in the chain...though I have read that some feel shielded cables rob a little transparency.

Final note, by and large I am not a fan of mega buck cabling... each time I have tried in the past, I have felt that money spent on expensive cabling does not yield a good return...

Thanks in advance for any thoughts and recommendations.
128x128Ag insider logo xs@2xjjss49
If a cable is picking up "interference" that indicates you need a cable with better shielding.  There might be no other problem with the cable you are using besides lack of adequate shielding.  However, if you really do have "hum" at high volumes, that may be due to inadequate grounding somewhere in the system.  This has nothing to do with interference or shielding, unless the cable is running near a transformer or some such device that radiates EMI, in which case shielding would help. "Hum" has a fairly strict definition, a monotone with a frequency of around 60Hz to 120Hz.  If that's what you've got, check out your ground connections or try re-routing your cable between the tonearm and the phono input.

I'm going to try a different interconnect, but will be surprised if that solves the issue. I've tried everything I can think of with respect to grounding. I've unplugged everything but the VPI and Rega Brio amp, tried a different outlet, tried bypassing my Furman power conditioner, tried using a three to two prong adapter, checked the ground cables (the hum gets way louder when the ground is removed, and also when I touch the cable from the tonearm to the rca jacks).  The hum disappears when I touch both of the rca cable jacks from the VPI. It gets louder as volume is turned up on the amp. Also feels like I'm getting some static energy when I touch the tonearm to change a record. My dealer is going to come check it out if the new interconnect doesn't help. 

Thiughts?
thanks to pani and others

pani - very much appreciate your AT ART 9 thread... it lead me to this wonderful wonderful cartridge

all inputs are valued... much to try next few months... reasonably priced cabling makes trial and error much more affordable!!!

i also bought some of zu’s current audioconnects - they have rarely disappointed me!
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@jjss49 

  i also bought some of zu’s current audioconnects - they have rarely disappointed me!

I use Zu Audio Mission Phono MKII with  WBT nextgen RCAs and it's wonderful cable, i'm runnin' Lustre GST-801 toneam with Zu Mission Phono mkII cable, i'm so happy about this combination. The Lustre 801 was rewired internally with Discovery Cable. As Pani said  Finewire C37 is also a good option, i have C37 Standard (the cheapest) and top C37 Cryo with KLE on Reed. But it's more fun to swap cartridges, no cables.