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Cables from TT to phono stage to preamp

This year I purchased a REL T/7i subwoofer, then a PrimaLuna Evo 300 preamp, a VPI Prime Signature turntable with a Hana ML low output cartridge, and a Solidsteel S4-3 audio rack. I spent a lot of money.

I currently have VPI tonearm cables going to my Musical Surroundings Phonomena phono stage (original model), and Audioquest Jaguar ICs going to my preamp.

I know my tonearm cables and phono stage are holding me back. I tested the Iridium and Clear Cygnus tonearm cables and like the Cygnus over the Iridium, and the Iridium (easily) over the VPI cables.

I have a Rotel RB-981 amp I bought back in 2004, Cardas Neutral Reference speaker cables, and B&W CM 2 bookshelf speakers on half loaded speaker stands.

I still love the CM 2s, and found that the Clear Cygnus helps roll off the highs a little which is beneficial to the sometimes too bright speakers.

What cables are you folks using between your TT and preamp? How important is it to change the cables from the phono stage at the same time as tonearm cables?
I’d like to get a new phono stage next year, and a dealer I spoke with suggested the Sutherland Insight, but I know there are a lot of phono stages out there and I have a lot of research is ahead of me.
128x128ctwith3
ctwith3's avatar
ctwith3 OP
71 posts
 
Here’s what I know:
Clear Cygnus Tonearm Cable
119pf/per. Ft. 
VPI cable is 15 years old, so, no idea, and VPI has no idea- the cable is 15 years old. 
I called AQ about the Jaguars because I couldn’t find the information anywhere- again 15 years old- , and all they could tell me was that the Jaguar’s rough equivalent to their current cables is their Water cable.
Hana ML Cartridge
Stylus: Nude Microline tip
Cantilever: Aluminum
Magnet: Alnico
Magnetic circuitry: Pure Iron/Cryo treatment
Coil wire: High Purity Copper
Cartridge Housing: POM (Delrin)/Brass
Output level: 0.4mv/1KHz
Output balance: <1dB/1KHz
Vertical Tracking force: 2gr
Trackability: 70μ/2gr
Compliance: 10 x 10-6 cm/dyne
Channel separation: 30dB/1KHz
Frequency response: 12-45,000Hz
Impedance: 8Ω/1KHz
Suggested lord Impedance: > 100Ω
Cartridge weight: 9.5g
Body Color: Black
alucard19
363 posts
 
You might want to try the Audio Art IC-3 phono cables or the IC-3 E interconnects, which is what I use on my Acoustic Solid 111 Steel turntable, which is hooked up to a Parasound JC3+ phono stage which goes to a Primaluna Dialogue Premium HP integrated and this pairing really helped with the bass definition while smoothing out the mids and highs.  Interconnects Archives - Audio Art Cable
alucard19
363 posts
 
I am also using the AudioTechnica PTG33/II MC cartridge set at 150 ohms on the JC3+ phono stage.
gochurchgo
923 posts
 
@alucard19 whats the capacitance on the IC-3? I don’t see any info on that.
alucard19
363 posts
 
If you scroll all the way to the bottom it lists the technical specs. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS Conductors: Ultra High Purity, 99.999% Silver-coated OFC copper Wire gauge: 20AWG Dielectric: Foamed Polyethylene Capacitance: 30 pf/foot Resistance: .009 ohms/foot (each conductor) Jacketing: DuraFlex PVC Shield coverage: Aluminum Mylar 100% Diameter: 8 mm IC-3 Classic, 10mm IC-3SE, IC-3 e I hope this helps.
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