Phono cable and preamp for soundsmith Carmen mk2

Update
So I went to a couple of dealers to borrow phono preamps and phono cables for a evaluation.

The biggest surprise for me was how big a deal an improved cable has on sound compared with original unshielded cable.

Cables tested:
- Furutech AG-12 R4 500$
- Sonus Concordia - Mars 500$
- QED SIGNATURE Audio 40 300$

I listened to the furutech for the better part of a weekend and I was quite pleased with it. Finally iI compared it with the others.
All cables where good, but the Sonus Concordia - Mars stood out. I bought it.

Phono preamps tested:
- Soundsmith MMP3 mk2 800$
- ASR Mini Basis mk3 1500$
- CYRUS AUDIO Phono Signature 1500$

I bought the ASR an I really liked it!

The ASR together with the Sonus Concordia delivered pleasant separation between instruments, I clould feel that there was ”air” or openess between the different instruments. At the same time as they delivered a natural sound as well as the music sounded bigger. The ASR sounded very dynamic with a very powerful and controlled bass. The sound image of precise spatiality is combined with a very good detail resolution. Previously I used a subwoofer (Velodyne SPL-1200 Ultra) to get more bass and volume for some vinyls. I do not feel the need for that now, in fact it does not bring any good sound qualities just more bass.
The MMP3 came on second place, but was probably a winner regarding to price. A dissadvantage is that it cannot be used for MC pickups.

Cables were evaluated with the ASR.
Phono preamp were evaluated with the Sonus Concordia.

I’m a music listener still learning the art of understanding how good sound reproduction should sound. When getting more high end equipment I have tended to look for better recordings outside of my normal music area. I reallise that there are just bad recordings as well as well as that some music perhaps is not right for modern speakers.
In the beginning I could hear that some musik did not sound right, but I could not put my finger on what was wrong. In the evaluation I have learned by recording music from the speakers with an iphone, then comparing (same song with different equipment) and discussing with experienced friend. We were very surprised how much influence cables make. Recordings with iphone does not provide good sound but can be used for comparison, it gives you an idea what to focus on in the listening. 

Music on vinyl used i the evaluation:
1. The Pink Panther theme - Benny Goodman https://youtu.be/w7zsDKYYbF8
2. Give a little bit - Supertramp https://youtu.be/WA7JY1OoxnU
3. Visa från Utanmyra - Jan Johansson https://youtu.be/t2D5HlKLh34
4. No one to depend on - Santana https://youtu.be/mYc-zH0Ak6

Next step? Probably improved RCA cable to the amplifier (now Pangea) and power cord to phono preamp, probably the power cord first.
According to my dealer I would have to by a turntable in price range 3000-4000$ to really get an improved sound. The improvement would be better and more detailed sound. The pickup and preamp is well prepared for turntable upgrade!

@rauliruegas, Soundsmith MI carts are quite sensitve to capacitance. 

My favorite phono preamps are Parasound JC3+, Micromega MyGroov, and Parasound JC3 Jr., in that order.

The best tonearm cable (DIN to RCA) that I found after testing more cables than I can count, is the  Ortofon 6NX-TSW-1010 L.

@rauliruegas MI cartridges are very sensitive to capacitance. I know from experience from using Ortofon 2M Black, Nagaoka MP-500, Stanton, etc. 

Do yourself a favor ...
If you’re using MM or MI cartridges you need a phono stage with optional loading, yes it is. You need at leat 47- 100k Ohm range, not just fixed 47k! You can also go lower than 47k. In my opinion 100k Ohm is perfect, but it depends on the cartridge. The best phono stage for MM cartridge is JLTi mk5 with upgraded SPU, you can but it with shipping for under $1100 from Australia. I have many MM cartridges and this phono stage is a hust have. Soon i want to upgrade my mk4 version with that new SPU. The mk4 without special PSU was just $750! It’s silid state phno stage MM/MC.

You can ask the manufacturer to change internal resistors to 500k Ohm and then you will be able to use 100k Ohm for MM or anything you want. JLTi (like Herron) allow us to plug parallel load resitors (RCA plugs on the back side of the phono stage).

As for the cables: try Zu Audio Mission mkII with WBT here or look for Mission Phono mkI on ebay auction directly from the manufacturer (you can get amazing price at the end of auction). Top quality phono cables!