Phono cable, are they really different?

Linn makes alot of turntables and they offer your choice of two analog interconnects, one black and one silver. Mint 1.2 meter pairs of the basic black sell for about $45 used. Linnies get a pair free with every purchase so they don't get no respect. They're beautifully built and they are shielded. My first pair solved my TT hum problem. Also great for replacing way more cheaply made cables like Nakamichi supplied with their tape decks. Google deeply or visit Linn and you may find specs.

VPI must have switched vendors then, because two years ago Mike at VPI told me they DID use Discovery cable in their JMW arms. Maybe when they started making their own cables they stopped using Discovery, who knows?

You should try the audience and see how it sounds. Is the audience sheilded, if not that may be you only problem.

I have used harmonic truthlink with great success on my VPI and transparent ref phono.
I am like John above and currently using Valhalla and it sounds fantastic - at the price it should :)

The VPI i/c is supposed to be very good as well at a resonable price.

IMHO, one really great RFI shielded cable is Ortofon, blue cable with N8 copper wiring....

BTW, I use this with Ortofon Rohmann and Holfi Battriaa SE.

Yes, they can make a significant difference. Although I am not generally a Nordost fan, their dedicated phon cable using their Valhalla interconnect is exceptional.