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Help me pick a great phono cable

Good people of Audiogon:

I'm ready to buy a phono cable for my vinyl front end, and I'd like some suggestions. Budget is no more than $1000.00, but preferably on the lower side. So far, I've used only cheap / no-name interconnects for this application, and now I'd like to make some improvements by upgrading. It's a VPI turntable, and so has the standard RCA connections. I'm thus looking for a phono cable with RCA terminations. Moving in the direction of better resolution, detail, and soundstage would be ideal.

Full system is listed here and includes Dynavector XX2 MKII cartridge -> VPI JMW 10.5i > VPI Aries 2 Black Knight turntable > McIntosh C2300 preamplifier (using its MC phono stage).

Ideas? Suggestions? Thanks for any thoughts on the subject.
128x128goheelz
wrm57
988 posts
 
FWIW, I owned for a Mac C2300 for a while and used the cables I mentioned with that preamp. I did not end up using the phono section of the C2300 much, however, because I bought a Steelhead. But the cables worked well with it.
mrmitch
359 posts
 
Of the many phono cables I've had the Synergisitic Research Tricon Analog has been the standout in my system (analog portion consists of a TW AKustic Raven One TT, Ortofon 12 inch arm, Fosgate Signature phono preamp into a Joule Electra LA-150 Mk2).
tubed1
161 posts
 
Another tweeky option. There is no better phono cable than no phono cable. Better resolution, detail, and soundstage can be had quite simply, less is more when you are talking about RCA connections. so eliminate that extra set!. Spend the bucks on a tone arm re-wire all the way to your phono inputs, if and only if this is an arm you will be living with for a while. Yes, do keep it as short as possible and you will be amazed.
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,640 posts
 
If you were able to run balanced, you could get off of the cable merry-go-round. Cartridges are a naturally balanced source so its easy to do. In addition, if you have an SUT its possible to run everything balanced even if the preamp isn't.
goheelz's avatar
goheelz OP
291 posts
 
Thanks to everyone who replied to my query about phono cables. For now, per various suggestions and a good used deal, I've moved to a Harmonic Technology Silver Crystal RCA-RCA cable. Installed the other day, and so far it sounds very good, although it will take time for me to assess more completely. Right away, there's more soundstage and better articulation of vocals.

As I learn more about the new cable, I'll post an update here.

Atmasphere: thanks for your comment, but you're working over my head technically, it seems. Forgive my lack of knowledge, please. How does going balanced get me off the cable merry go round? Balanced cables have their own differences, right? How do you suggest configuring the system as "balanced" with the inclusion of a SUT? Are you saying skip the built in MC phono section and run VPI table junction box (a new one with balanced connections > balanced cable (what kind?) > SUT (which one?) > McIntosh line input (i.e. Tape or whatever)? What kind of improvements would one expect with the phono configured this way?
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