"Phono" Cable - Necessary if you have RCA outs?

I also have a VPI Aries with the JMW Tonearm, I have used innerconnects and phono cables(Kimber KCAG and Hoveland) and found a sonic improvement with both phono cables(not day and night but better detail) Phono cables also have a ground wire to prevent hum if that is a problem, of course with the JMW arm you use another wire for ground. Phono cable makers tell you that you need a different cable for the phono because of the lower level signal coming from the cartridge. I don't know if that is true or not but in my system I did hear an improvement with a quality phono cable.Good luck.

I have VPI Aries with JMW. Tried Cardas Golden Cross, Audiotruth Diamond 2X and Audiotruth Extreme. I like the Extreme the best.

Well,

I usually make my own cables and have found that a lighter gage cable, 22 to 24, works well for my phono. The signal is lower in level than your normal line level and I believe that the higher gage is friendlier to the signal.

That being said, most cable manufactures have this in mind when they manufacture their phono cables. They "are" specific to the needs of the phono level. Also, they may do some special sheilding, since phono levels are more prone to EMI and RF.

However, if you are having no problem with the unshielded Kimber and you enjoy the sound I would stick with it.

Just make sure you have your table grounded.