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Inexpensive Phono Cables Recommendations

I would appreciate a little advice from the Forum concerning phono cables recommendations.

As a threshold matter, I realize that the subject of phono cables has been exhausted on the Forum. So, please note that I have done my own research by reading through quite a few threads and have a general sense about the importance of phono cables. Although, asking an open-ended question about cable recommendations is a little like asking for "best speaker" recommendations (over 1300 posts on A'gon so far and still counting), it seems that the Cardas name comes up frequently.

I have two general questions: (1) How important are the I/C cables from the phono pre TO the line stage?? If important, I would appreciate some inexpensive suggestions that will yield a lot of bang for the buck. The cable I/Cs will need to run 10-12 feet from the phono pre to the line stage AND are RCA single ended. (2) I would appreciate some inexpensive suggestions for phono cables from the TT TO the phono pre. The phono cables will need to run roughly 5-6 feet from the TT to the phono pre and are also RCA single ended.

I realize that recommendations can be equipment specific, so here's a summary of the relevant equipment. Cartridge: (a) currently using a DV 20X2H MC, output voltage is 2.3 mV; but also (b) trying to buy a VPI Zephyr MI, output voltage is 2.4 mV, Zephyr looking to see 47K ohm impedance and 100-200 pF capacitance. TT is VPI Classic 1 w/ upgrade Classic 3 tone arm. Phono pre is an ARC PH-7, selectable input impedance (incl 47K ohm) and 200 pF capacitance. Linestage is an ARC Ref 3.

As can be seen from the specs listed above, the VPI Zephyr is looking to see between 100 and 200 pF of capacitance (I assume that's a "ceiling," not "floor"), BUT my PH-7 will present the cartridge with 200 pF of capacitance. So, on the surface, it appears that the cable I/Cs between the TT and the PH-7 should probably not present significant additional capacitance, or else, I assume, there may be a degradation of sonics.

Thanks.

P.S. I am embarrassed to disclose what I am currently using for phono I/Cs, but just assume that they are NOT strings held tauntly between Campbell Soup cans.

Oh. . . very important fact -- I do NOT use a ground wire and there is NO hum.
bifwynne
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
Manitunc,
It shouldn't be of any concern.
If you ballpark the impedance of wire to 1 Ohm(which less likely happens even in 6' tonearm wire) and cartridge output .25uV and the load resistance = 100 Ohms, than you'll have a voltage drop ~.0025uV.
dopogue
1,773 posts
 
CORRECTION ON PETRA CABLES. Do NOT buy the ones now (or recently) on Amazon. I tried a pair of the new ones this morning and they are awful. I cut into one (I used to reterminate these things a lot) and found that the construction is completely different from the old ones. Sorry. Dave
bifwynne OP
2,206 posts
 
Update: I'm glad I waited before coming back. I'd like to report on what I've done and the results. I read with great interest the various suggestions. There were so many, I became confused. I guess just TMI.

Ok, I've previosuly worked with a well respected technical engineer type who, a while back, built a cutomer buffer device for me. This man is a real gentleman and is very knowledegeable. So I called him and custom ordered 6' TT/phono pre cables for $140. I understand that the cables are made of very pure copper and the capacitance is 16 pF per foot.

Now the results. I am disappointed. The soundstage collapsed. The bottom literally fell out. Hardly any definition, slam or whatever from the midrange down into the basement registers. At one point, I thought I somehow blew my midrange drivers and woofers. It sounded like only the tweeters were operating and listening was very fatiguing.

I re-read the comments above and other threads that discussed cables. I suspected that even though I purchased quality cables, for some reason they were not compatible with the cartridge and phono pre combo. Oh, I wound up sourcing a practically new VPI Zephyr which sounds terrific.

This evening I reinstalled my soup can/string combos and the sound came back. The system sounds much better. When playing classical music, the house shook when the tympany come on line. Soundstage is great. And so forth and so on. FWIW, my old cables are $25 Radio Shack 12 foot Auvio I/Cs, which are shielded and have 24k gold plated RCA jacks, and made in China of course. I don't have any information concerning impedance or capacitance.

I intend to re-read the comments and suggestions posted above and try again. I'll report back.
tom6897's avatar
tom6897
1,484 posts
 
Don't worry about the spec's. You have found a pair of interconnects that work for you in your system. Be glad you found synergy quickly. The fact that they came from Radio Shack matters not one iotta. You might be surprised to know the "real cost" of some of the cables listed above. They may even be sourced from China and repackaged. The sound is all that is really important, No?

If it makes you feel better cover them with some expensive looking cable wraps.

Enjoy your Fourth!
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