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Is there a length limit for Turntable cables?

I need to move my turntable to a more vibration-free location; or isolate it better from floor vibrations. Currently, my MMF5 works well near my preamp. However, I like the sound of my garage-sale-bargin Thorens TD160 much better and want to replace the MMF5. But if placed where the MMF5 is the TD160 is highly sensitive to vibration. The MMF5 currently sits on a 2" maple shelf which rests on Vibrapods on top of a wooden cabinet which sets on a carpeted suspended wooden floor. So, I'd like to move it to a very stable location nearby; or, isolate it better in its current location. If I relocate it to the more vibration-free location, however, I would need a 15 foot interconnect between the TT and preamp. Is that too long a distance for a TT interconnect? Will that long a cable degrade the sound significantly? Any suggestions for isolating it better in its current location.
Also, I'd like recommendations on good TT interconnects and would like to keep the cost low.
Thanks for any suggestions and comments.
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bdgregory
1,715 posts
 
Joe, in my layout I originally hooked up a Music Hall Phono Pack pre sitting next to the TT, with the 3M IC's going into my Exposure Preamp in another rack. It worked great. I moved from the Exposure to a Rega Hal preamp that has a very nice phono section, and in my haste just substituted the connectors in place of the phono pack.

One reminder - make sure you construct a good ground jumper for the Phono to the preamp. I had awful ground problems initially. Once solved it's worked great.
dan_ed
2,451 posts
 
Hi Joe,

I don't know what cartridge you're using, but I would bet that if you go the route of adding a phono amp you would be missing alot if you didn't stay with a tube stage. I say that based on your C2200. There are some very good budget tube phono stages out there.

Good luck,

Dan
ije
29 posts
 
I agree with Nsgarch on the Target wall shelf solution. However a Gingko Cloud isolation platform or similar platform will eliminate all you vibration problems IMO. Visit their website for more information.

In my setup, my Scoutmaster is sitting on a Target shelf mounted 2 inches above 2 stacked velodyne subwoofers and the Gingko Cloud 11 completely isolates it from all vibrations. Simply amazing IMHO.
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jgiacalo OP
446 posts
 
I'm am currently using a Goldring 1012 (MM) with the Thorens but was planning on switching to my Sumiko BPS EvoIII (MC). Even with the Goldring on the Thorens and 3 interconnects patched together with female-to-female RCA connectors it sounded better than the MMF5 with the BPS Evo. So, from what I gather in the above discussion the BPS on the Thorens with a long IC might give me satisfying, if not ideal, music. I will also try some isolation modifications, too, and will look into the Gingko Cloud platform soon.
I really appreciate and want to thank you all for your input on this. It gives me a lot of options to play with.
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