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Is there any difference between a phono cable and a regular interconnector?

Hi guys I have an old vintage turntable and the rca from the cable is broken. I tried to replace with a new kimber cable with wbt rca, I got a very strong hum sound coming from the turntable. I placed the older cable back and I just used KLE silver rca again I got a very strong hum. The original cable with the turntable connected to the circuitboard of the turntable. I wonder if you guys know if the rca and the cables for the turntable signal are different than regular interconnectors?


Note: I am using a Denon DL-103r, the table has internal seperate grounding but does not help by changing the rca plugs.
sfeizif215
czarivey
5,946 posts
 
No difference which cable you use. The hum is probably due to the broken ground connection.
Normally you would want to use cables very thin to void skin effect around 26awg.
mofimadness's avatar
mofimadness
5,058 posts
 
Almost all "phono" cables are shielded.  If you used the Kimber Kable PBJ or any other of their twisted-like cable, they are not shielded.

As mentioned above, you would need to connect the ground wire somewhere.
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,484 posts
 
Although shielded cables can eliminate hum/noise, not all turntables need shielded.  In My experience, shielded cable always sounds more "closed in" than does non shileded.
catcher10's avatar
catcher10
77 posts
 
Connect a earth wire. If you have some video cables try those as they are shielded. Remember you need shielded cables from your TT because the signal from the cartridge is so small that many things can affect the sound. It also depends how close the TT is to things like speakers and TVs.
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,954 posts
 
Phono cables **might** differ from regular cables in two ways. First, they are usually shielded. Second, they usually are low capacitance.
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