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  3. 1152556007

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
 
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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rauliruegas
13,064 posts
 
Dear Nilthepill: 1 - Usually are better but not always. The regulars, that come with the tonearm, are usually good but not the " best ". The tonearm manufacturer only ( till today ) give us and starting/first cable step on the very long cable ladder and certainly not the " best one " because its tonearm has to have a precise level price point and if he choose a higher price cable his tonearm could be out of price market.

2 - In my experience the whole system has to be grounded at one and only one point ( usually at the phonolinepreamp through a dedicated true earth ground line. ) to avoid ground loops and to avoid what is happen when you grounded at the TT end.

3 - The only way to take advantage of a balanced operation phonolinepreamp is that the cable from tonearm to the PLP has a balanced connector/connection.

4 - Viridian give you the right answer about.

5 -I agree with Dave about.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.
dgarretson
2,598 posts
 
Raul,

The BAT phono stage has both RCA & XLR inputs but ONLY balanced outputs. The RCA input is inverted within the phono stage and passed through differentially balanced amplifiers for true balanced output to the preamp. As I mentioned above, a cartridge is not a true balanced source. There is no third ground pin, no inversion of +/- with reference to a ground, no common mode noise rejection. So the matter comes down to whether to use the XLR connector or the RCA connector into the balanced phono stage. The XLR input will divide the output current of the coil between the differential amps and produce a lower SNR than an RCA. A low-mass RCA plug (Nextgen, Eichmann, etc.) may also sound better than XLR due to the XLR's heavy metal barrel.

This issue has been covered in several threads elsewhere. Here is a good one for background:

http://db.audioasylum.com/cgi/m.mpl?forum=vinyl&n=111640&highlight=phono+balanced+connection&r=&session=

Regards,

Dave
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rauliruegas
13,064 posts
 
Dear Dave: I agree that the cartridge is not a balanced item but it is not single ended either, the cartridge is a signal generator: that's all.

The point on the subject reside on the phono cable to take advantage of the balanced input in a true balanced phonolinepreamp.

Any one can tell me how I can post a picture/diagram here for explain about?

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.
fcrowder
191 posts
 
Several years ago I switched from a Helicon to a Titan on my Rockport and at least in the Rockport arm, the Titan is significantly better. Cleaner at the top and definitely more bass but in my system the greatest improvements were in dynamics and presence. Perhaps the Titan is just a better match for the Rockport arm but in my system significantly better.
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