2. cables
  3. 1081304004

Special "phono cables" from turntable to phonostag

Lately, I have been caught in the "cable syndrome" that seems to catch up with everyone eventually.. .. I used to silently laugh at myself when reading about all of the people speaking of the differences in interconnect cables. Not that I didn't believe that there could be a difference in sound. It's just that the cost of the cables seemed out of proportion to the alleged improvements.

Well, all of that changed when I made the mistake of visiting my local dealer, who loaned me a pair of high quality Transparent interconnects to try at home in place of my Audioquest Ruby cables, which I was sure that were as good as I would probably ever need.

Anyway, long story short,(too late!) after playing with cables for about 2 weeks in my system, I noticed that I was neglecting the Phono cable from tt to Phonostage. My dealer tells me to not use a network cable(i.e. Transparent) in this application. I wonder how much I am missing with the Ruby cable here?

Any light will help!

I fear that I have entered "Audio Nervosa" as one writer put it recently. But my system has never sounded so good!
If only I could make the last few adjustments....and maybe a new phono cartridge...and that pre-amp upgrade that has been bugging me.....

Brad
bfuehrer
steelhead
318 posts
 
I come from the same doubting background. I did not believe that cables made much, if any, improvement. I definitely changed my mind and heard a difference going from Monster to Audioquest to Goertz.

I recently upgraded to a SOTA turntable. I needed a cable and won an auction for a Zu Xaus tonearm cable. I can't put a definite amount on the improvement as I have a new turntable and tonearm making differences (same cartridge), but the Zu tonearm cable is kick ass and I get a presentation of both weight and air that makes spinning vinyl a real joy.

Try to audition Zu Xaus if you get a chance.
rex
245 posts
 
Your dealer is correct - the networks on Transparent's interconnects are designed to work with line-level signals, not the tiny ones from the cartridge to the phonostage. Transparent actually makes some "phono cables" sans network for this specific application, and they are good.

I'm of the opinion that quality phono cables are just as important (if not more) as the ICs going from your phonostage to your preamp.
s23chang
620 posts
 
The best phono cable for the money is the XLO signature phono 3.1 and 3.2. used price around $350 to $450 for the 1 meter length.
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