[S Clark]

I hate to ask anything about cables    .... but if we limit just to phono interconnects perhaps we can get a meaningful discussion.

Here's the deal.  I've got a Technics SP10 on the way that will need a 5 pin Din IC to go with a Piezo/Syntec s220 tonearm that I hope to match with a Denon mono DL 102 cartridge.  Looking around the web, I see options for $20, $250, $500, >$1K.
I also have no problem with DIY if I think that I can get very good quality for my time investment.  The phono pre's that I can pick from are a modded Cambridge 640P, Vista, and I have a Dodd coming.  Now, I have a hard time spending as much on the cable as I did on the TT and tonearm, so my most probably option are no more than $250 or DIY. 
The questions are: 1) What are you using? 2) what does it bring to your rig? 3) what do you recommend for my rig?

Scott

[jtwrace]

I use these http://silversonic.com/docs/products/AirMatrix.html

Shielded and work flawless.   

[S Clark]

I use these http://silversonic.com/docs/products/AirMatrix.html

Shielded and work flawless.   

What do you like about them? Also, unless they have a 5 pin DIN interconnect that I didnt see, I don't think I can use them. Any other suggestions?

[Syrah]

Took the words out of my mouth.  A retailer I used to go to in Toronto, who was huge into vinyl, swore by DH Silver Sonic Pro Studio as MC cable.  He made me a 1m pair terminated with WBTs.  I've tried several sub $500 cables, and the DH remain.  Stupid cheap too.

[S Clark]

Are these shielded? Do they have a ground wire.  Looking at their website, I can't tell that they are specifically made for phono. 

[Syrah]

Click on Pro Studio.  They are shielded and it does mention that they are excellent for phono.  No ground wire, I just run a ground wire.

[S Clark]

Click on Pro Studio.  They are shielded and it does mention that they are excellent for phono.  No ground wire, I just run a ground wire.

Ok, an option might be to give them a call and see if they would build a pair with a DIN termination and a ground wire.  What do you like about them?  How would you compare the sound of them to what you replaced?

Scott

[Syrah]

I compared them to Furutech's and Zu's, among others.  I was not a fan of the Zu (even though they get big reviews here).  They are very close in sound to the Furutech's, with a tad clearer midrange, warmer yet more detailed at the same time - I'm not an audio writer...  I'm sure there are tons of people to whom you could send them to be terminated if DH won't.  You could probably send them to Blue Jeans, or maybe try Grover Huffman.  While you're at it, you could ask Grover to make you a set of his own and do a shoot out.  Grover's stuff is top notch.  The ground wire is not a big deal.  I just use a good hardware store wire.  One of my TTs (VPI Classic) needs a ground, the other does not.

[TONEPUB]

I've had excellent results with the Furutech, both the AG-20 and the silver arrow.  Also, the Cardas Clear.

The DH is great too.  Always have had great luck with their cable and it's very reasonably priced.

[Syrah]

While we're at it, does anyone know how to properly connect the shield on a phono cable?  I assume shield gets connected to RCA return (i.e. ground) on the phono stage end and acts as a faraday shield?

[catastrofe]

I'm using Grover Huffman's phono cable.  Sounds great and it's priced right.

[BPoletti]

I use Herron Audio interconnects.  Those are what is used to voice Herron Audio electronics.  All my electronics are from Herron Audio.  Why would I use anything else?

[neobop]

While we're at it, does anyone know how to properly connect the shield on a phono cable?  I assume shield gets connected to RCA return (i.e. ground) on the phono stage end and acts as a faraday shield?

Do you mean the separate ground wire?  On a 5 pin tonearm din, it's connected to the  center pin or socket. That in turn is connected to a ground that's inside the arm.  The arm ground could be part of a Faraday shield arrangement, but not necessarily. 

Usually tonearm cables are 1 conductor and shield, with the shield connected to the negative cart pins and the center conductor is +.  The shield helps prevent RFI and hum. People who use extended tonearm wire w/o shield, normally twist the wires in 2 prs and terminate directly to RCA or balanced connectors. The ground wire is connected in the normal manner to the preamp.


 

[orthobiz]

Linn Silver and Black. I bought them used, approx half price. Why? Because my Linn dealer says they are good so I just use them and don't think about 'em!

Paul

[S Clark]

Do you mean the separate ground wire?  On a 5 pin tonearm din, it's connected to the  center pin or socket. That in turn is connected to a ground that's inside the arm.  The arm ground could be part of a Faraday shield arrangement, but not necessarily. 

Usually tonearm cables are 1 conductor and shield, with the shield connected to the negative cart pins and the center conductor is +.  The shield helps prevent RFI and hum. People who use extended tonearm wire w/o shield, normally twist the wires in 2 prs and terminate directly to RCA or balanced connectors. The ground wire is connected in the normal manner to the preamp.

Neobop,
What are you using, and what are the characteristics of it that you like?

Scott

[neobop]

Hi Scott,
I only have a couple pr of din cables.  One is an old VdH 501 or 502, I forget which. It's the one that comes with a SME V.  It's silver wire and seems to do the job just fine. It's cut down to about 1 foot length. I use it on the low mass Sonus Formula 4, straight in to an AHT phono stage - right behind the table. 

The other is an Ultimate cable I picked up for an Alphason 100S.  This is 50% pure silver and 50% OFC.  Standard length is 1.2 m. I had it custom made to 36". Even though it's for MC, I don't like excess cable.  Tell you the truth, it seems good but I haven't used it much.  The Alphason needs rewire and I've been using the MC in a Kenwood 770d.  Usually with tables like that, I just shorten the wire and put Neutrik plugs on.

http://www.ultimatecables.com/zencart/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=66_67_71

[Minn Mark]

For other than captive cables on my TT's, I am using Blue Jeans cables, and a separate ground wire. Sound great.

M