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RCA (phono) cables for on-site termination

Hi. I'm going to be going into my very tight crawlspace in a week to run some speaker wire. I don't want to go down there twice so I will also be wiring what will eventually carry a signal from my phono (in the living room) to my preamp (in my office).

My house is 85 years old, mostly original, and we've tried very hard to be faithful to the architect all these years (it's cool if you think that's ridiculous). 

What that means is that I need to drill the smallest holes possible and therefore I will need to terminate the cable ends by myself . What I don't know is what kind of cable to use and what brand of terminals I should buy.

I'm handy with a soldering iron, I own a dozen crimpers, and I can buy another pair if necessary-- but I don't want to waste money on world-class cabling (my ears aren't that good). I just want decent wire (maybe even coax, whatever, someone here is way smarter than I am) and decent RCA terminals. Can you help?
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p_s OP
22 posts
 
Thanks, good advice to put the preamp by the phono rather than the amp.

The grommet and dowel is good advice too.

The run is only eight feet as the crow flies but it has to go down and up so fifteen feet or so, all in..
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p_s OP
22 posts
 
(and thanks for the cable rec if I go that route)
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p_s OP
22 posts
 
Last I appreciate the thoroughness of your answer-- those of us who grew up in Appalachia learned that we could make a "continuity tester" with a flashlight bulb, a 9v battery, and a few alligator clips.  
oldhvymec
5,101 posts
 
OP you'll need to watch that length. That is a good piece of advise. It can pick up noise pretty easy without shielding and shielding can really dummy down the SQ if your not careful.. Something to think about..

Your a ridge runner, now to get the most for your money, without losing SQ.  The burden of good common sense. Rare these days. :-)

For reference OP 36" is a push with a MC Low Output cart..  Add a SUT and an external phono preamp..  Be careful, we are trying to stay out of trouble, NOT get out of it.  Some weird anomalies in "them thar Hills" Serious antenna in  more than a few spots.. ALL considerations.

Regards
elliottbnewcombjr
5,304 posts
 
NO! Think separate TT for the Office.

If space is an issue, as it is for me, think small, or vertical:

These compact Technics can fit on top of a bookcase, this particular model is quartz locked Direct Drive, and Programmable (so are others). (get the separate ground wire, or you can buy one on ebay for $10).

https://www.ebay.com/itm/373596285167?hash=item56fc12e8ef:g:CdUAAOSwhMtgsceA

This Vertical TT stands on a narrow shelf or bookcase, 8" minimum

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649728427-mitsubishi-lt-5v/

New Vertical TT's exist

btw, my latest trick in my crawl space was to staple simple trash bag ties to the bottom of the vertical side (not the bottom) of joists (then simply twist as you go. Wire hooks for tree decorations work too. 
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