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Dedicated phono cable or quality IC

I am new to vinyl and loving it. I have a Music Hall MMF-7, Sumiko Phono Box, Cary SLP50A pre-amp to a pair of Linn LK-85's and Linn Ninka speakers Activ. I have been looking around at upgrading the IC's in the TT to Cary chain. Am using the supplied cable from Music Hall to the sumiko then a spare set of Linn IC's from there to the Cary. The rest are Yamamura M5000's. I figured I could just use a good IC (looking at HT pro-silway) as the output from the MMF-7 is RCA. Now I see that there are dedicated phono cables and am wondering if, in my case, there is any need. I am using the Eroica high output MC cartridge, so I figured it would be less of an issue. Thoughts and recommendations? Thanks
stuartbranson
elmuncy
64 posts
 
get a set of interconnects at your nearest Home Depot, or the equivalent. Wire is wire, it conducts electricity. If you're in doubt, check with digital ohm meter. I know people say all kinds of stuff about capacitance, inductance, and the like, but it's voodoo. Another thing, have someone swap one of the expensive interconnects you have with something from Best Buy, one that you're not sure is which, and see if you can tell the difference. If it's really "night and day" you will spot it immediately. Even Sam Tellig gave in and recommended the 16.95 AR ones sold at Best Buy. Wire is wire as long as the connections are good
stuartbranson OP
183 posts
 
You may be right and all my experiments with lots of IC's may all be placebo effect but they have been pretty convincing placebos. Just last night I used a Harmonic Tech truth-link in the phono to phono amp then switched it for a HT pro-silway II and "heard" an immediate difference and promptly switched back to the all copper Truth-link because the balance was better. Works for me so...
4yanx
1,576 posts
 
I recently purchased from Pure Note a custom phono cable to use between phono stage and preamp and found it to be EXCELLENT. I suggest calling Tom and explaining what you seek, your components, and let him make a recommendation.
thomasheisig
568 posts
 
I think, the phono cable is the most important one from the whole system ( when going serious into the cable 'mania' ).

I would choose a cable, which was designed for phono signals only, not a renamed standard RCA cable.

I use for example the Signature Phono Cable from XLO, in my opinion a timeless superior product.

Another - good - one is made from Hovland.

Sure are some good ones out there, but these 2 are excellent.
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