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Phono cable advice.

What are some good phono cable options for around $150ish and under? So far I’m looking at BJ LC-1 and Zu Audio Mission cables. This would be for between my Pro-Ject Debut Carbon DC Esprit and most likely (still looking) a MoFi StudioPhono preamp. I have an extra pair of Kimber Silver Streak cables but they don’t look insulated well enough. I’ll be running DH Labs Air Matrix from my preamp to KEF LS50 Wireless speakers. I’d like something I can grow out a little with as I incrementally upgrade things. Stylus (Blue 2M?) is probably next.

Thanks for any input.
asahitoro
speakerbox's avatar
speakerbox
14 posts
 
Another plug for the audio sensibility impact se.  Just added one to my vpi scout/dl110 combination and the increase in detail and smoothness is stunning.  That said, I was using a wireworld Luna 7 which is not really intended as a phono cable, so would expect a big improvement.  Though the wireworld Luna is one heck of a cable for the price.
asahitoro OP
244 posts
 
Just picked up a Lounge Audio LCR MKIII w/silver upgrade. I’m looking forward to trying the cables. I already have the burned in AS Impact SE and the DH Labs. Just waiting on the Jelco and Zu Audio Mission V1.

Thanks again to all for the great advice on some options to try.
fleschler
2,046 posts
 
GroverHuffman.com made silver very low capacitance phono cables 20 years ago for $75.  Mr Record, Robert Pincus (IMPEX, swears by them).  No, they are not the end all SOTA cables but they have a mid-range sound that is excellent, good bass and treble extension, open and detail sounding.  Contact him for a pair under $150 (although he would try to persuade someone to purchase this superior phono-cables).   I bought his cables 20 years ago and was satisfied with them then and consider them a bargain for how good they sound today (I've got the Pharoahs now at $750-see his site for the Empress description at half that price). 
best-groove's avatar
best-groove
849 posts
 
By knowing the capacitance per foot, you can incorporate the total number of pF’s into your calculation of the capacitance load on the cartridge.


I do not have to go crazy to do any calculation; I always just search the phono cable with the lowest capacity per meter;  to all this we think the Xono and Pioneer C21 to offer me the necessary settings available to compensate for the lack of pF.

lewm
13,635 posts
 
best-groove, Please compare my comment that you quoted to your comment.  I hope you'll see we are in complete agreement with respect to the desired endpoint, which is to know approximately how much capacitance your phono cable adds.  Without knowing that, you cannot dial in the remainder of the recommended total, using your phono stage(s).  Going crazy is not necessary, I agree.
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