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Phono cable/grounding/loading questions

Hi, I am finally settling with my analog set up which I run in balanced(RCA @ TT end with ground wire and balanced at phono pre-amp, balanced from phono to preamp..)configuration. I do have some questions that I need answered to convince me what is right. I have looked in to archives but have not found clear cut answers. So here goes:

1. Is the purpose fully designed phono cable always better than the regular ics used as phono cables?
2. If there is no hum present without ground wire connected at TT end, technically is it correct to do so? (When I connect the gorund wire, the presentation a little more articulate but on brighter side)
3. Could I use phono cable with RCA/RCA and use RCA/balanced adapter at phono preamp end? Would I be getting full benefit of balanced configuration this way?
4. My helikon cartridge loading with all new burn-in cables sits at 40 ohms currently and there is still peak (4-5 db) at 10 K hz. Rest of the spectrum very good but this peak is annoying at times. Why is this happening?
5. Bi-wire question: Is it okay to use biwire speaker cables with Jumpers or is it defeating the purpose? More importantly is this dangerous?

Sorry to load you with too many questions but I wanted have only one thread to put my mind to rest.

Thanks in advance!!
nilthepill
dgarretson
2,598 posts
 
Nilthepill,

I bought my Hovland phono cable a long time ago and had it terminated DIN to XLR for the BAT P10 prior to reading Victor K's remarks about the preferability of an RCA connection into a phono stage-- a balanced phono stage. I may reterminate the cable RCA. The Hovland people also told me that their cable would sound better with RCA than with XLR, particularly when a low-mass plug such as Tiffany is used.

Inside the balanced phono stage a fully differentially balanced circuit can be derived from a single-ended source and passed to downstream components.

Not sure how your custom cable handles ground. You might just try running a separate chassis ground wire from the TT to the ground post on the phono stage. It probably won't affect the sound.

Not sure what you mean about the speaker jumpers. Are you saying you've biwired the speakers but you prefer the sound with the jumpers in? If so, you've defeated the biwiring and you are not hearing the biwire speaker cables as they were designed to work. But it's also possible that the speakers sound better when not biwired.

Dave

larryi
3,993 posts
 
As with anything having to do with audio, there are no hard and fast rules. I think you just have to continue to do what you have been doing, which is to experiment. I had a Helikon, but, at that time, I also had a phono stage with a fixed 125 ohm loading. It seemed to work well with this phono stage.

With my current Titan, I actually run it almost wide open (47k ohms). This gives me a very extended top end and a better sense of hall sounds. I tame some of the top end sibilance by setting VTA very slightly low (tail of the cartridge pointing down). I find Lyra cartridges to be quite sensitive to VTA changes. It is surprising what even 1/2mm of height at the pivot makes.
nilthepill OP
842 posts
 
Viridian, I listen in nearfield position to get most of the room effects out. While SPl meter is not the best way to measure/confirm what I hear, it is ths only way I got. VTA angle change is a good suggestion, which I might try.

Dgarretson, I am not sure my phono (clearaudio balanced reference) can activate both RCA in, balanced out mode as there is a switch for either balanced/unbalanced selection. But it does not hurt to try.

I am not sure how my custom phono/ic is wired but I asssume the ground cable from TT end continues on at the balanced end. I will check with mfr. It is curious though that the sound really changes with ground wire connected or not at the TT end. The difference is not subtle!

Larryi, I know this is differnt topic but how does helikon compare with Titan in overall sound balance?
larryi
3,993 posts
 
The Titan has more weight in the lower bass and is not quite so edgy sounding as the Helikon. It sounds more relaxed, but it certainly is not lacking in detail or dynamic ability. I prefer the meatier sound of the Titan, but I think the Helikon is no slouch.

But, when I changed the cartridge, I also changed tonearm to the Vector. According to Lyra, the Titan's titanium alloy body transmits a lot of vibrational energy from the cartridge to the tonearm, putting a lot of demand on the tonearm to effectively dampen and/or bleed off such energy instead of reflecting it back to the cartridge. The Vector is very good in this regard. I don't know how the Titan would compare with the Helikon in my original arm (Graham 1.5t). I heard the Titan in a newer Graham 2.2 arm and that combination also worked very well.

So much is system dependant, but I should mention that a friend is trying a Transfiguration Orpheus in place of a Helikon. The Orpheus sounds great in his setup (Graham 1.5t on a Mk IV VPI). The Orpheus has the same extended, smooth and airy top end of the Helikon, but substantially more weight in the bass (his horn-based system is lacking in very deep extension so this additional weight is synergistic. This cartridge is lively and dynamic without being edgy or harsh sounding. I will get a chance to hear the Orpheus in my system once I work into my system a new linestage and phonostage (Emotive Audio Epifania linestage, Viva Fono replacing the Levinson Ref. 32 preamp).
dgarretson
2,598 posts
 
Larryi,

I agree about the Helikon's lighter bass (with my Graham 1.5tc, which is also a little shy in the low bass.) I find it's possible to contour up the bass with a good sub like the Vel DD-15 and am surprised how articulate and linear the bass region now sounds in my system. Sub has one preset EQ for CDP and another for TT. Wouldn't refuse a Titan, tho.

Dave
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