[BikeWNC]

I want to replace the old red and white generic RCAs on my TT leads.  What I'm thinking is that I need to snip off the old RCAs and attach the wire to the center pin of the new RCA.  Correct?  There shouldn't be a ground because of the separate ground wire that connects to the preamp.  Is that right?  

Just want to make sure there isn't something I'm not considering before I make the cut.

Thanks, Andy

[Wayne1]

Andy, there are two different "grounds" in turntables.

The ones on the RCAs are the SIGNAL "negatives". These go back to the cartridge. As the needle moves about in the groves, it is attatched to a cantilever which is in turn attatched to either magnets or coils. As the magnets or coils are moved about. They are surrounded by either magnets or coils, whatever the opposite is of what is on the cantilever. This is how electricity is generated. You will need to have separate positive and negative leads for each cartridge channel.

The ground lead (usually a separate green wire) is attatched to either the tone arm shell or base plate of the turntable. these are use to keep the refernece ground of the playback system at the same level. Withou the reference ground wire attatched there can be a gooly amount of 60 cycle hum pick up.

This has nothing to do woth the signal negatives coming off of your phono cartridge. Now some phono preamps DO connect the signal negatives to earth ground. Some do not.

[skrivis]

I want to replace the old red and white generic RCAs on my TT leads.  What I'm thinking is that I need to snip off the old RCAs and attach the wire to the center pin of the new RCA.  Correct?  There shouldn't be a ground because of the separate ground wire that connects to the preamp.  Is that right?  

Just want to make sure there isn't something I'm not considering before I make the cut.

Thanks, Andy

Why do you want to replace them? Are they actually damaged? If they're not physically damaged, a good first step might be to try some Deoxit from Caig Labs. That will clean them up nicely so you're getting the best connection you can.

[BikeWNC]

Thanks for both replies.  

I want to replace the RCAs on the Technics because they are the old basic low grade red and white type like found on the interconnects that come with an inexpensive dvd player.  My perception is that they can be greatly improved upon.  I eventually plan to replace the whole cable from its solder point to the RCAs at the phono preamp, but for now I am going to replace the plugs and hear how that sounds.  

So Wayne, if I read you correctly, there will be a positive and negative cable for each channel.  The positive connects to the center pin while the ground will attach to the RCA shell.  Correct?

[skrivis]

Thanks for both replies.  

I want to replace the RCAs on the Technics because they are the old basic low grade red and white type like found on the interconnects that come with an inexpensive dvd player.  My perception is that they can be greatly improved upon.  I eventually plan to replace the whole cable from its solder point to the RCAs at the phono preamp, but for now I am going to replace the plugs and hear how that sounds.  

So Wayne, if I read you correctly, there will be a positive and negativ ...

I don't think you'll see much difference between the old plugs and new "better" ones.

Replacing the wire and plugs could be of benefit if you use wire with better shielding...

[Wayne1]

On the Technics, it will probably be a shielded cable with the center wire the positive and the braided shield the negative.

Try not to get negative and ground too confused

[BikeWNC]

Thanks to both!

Andy