[William D. Lester]

I recently purchased a VPI turntable and Bryston B135sst2 amp. Both what I consider very good pieces of equipment. Between them I have a ProJect Tube Box S phono stage which I am told is a decent 'low' end phono stage. I understand that the cable connecting the turntable and phono stage is more critical than the cable between the phono stage and amplifier. A friend of a friend has loaned me a pair of Cardas Neutral Reference cables which he would like to sell for a couple of hundred bucks and I have installed them between the phono stage and turntable. I have a pair of Bryston interconnects between the phono stage and amp. The dealer in London where I purchased the turntable told me that it was important that the two sets of cables should be the same. So the question is whether I should buy a second pair of Cardas cables or another set of the Bryston interconnects. I have no idea which of the two is 'better' or preferred. I don't have a reason to upgrade the phono stage at the present time but may in the future if there is something to be gained by that - maybe one of the Bryston phono stages would be a good choice but right now the tubes are kind of cool and I am satisfied with it.  I would like to make the best decision I can regards the cables so that I don't have to think about replacing them down the road. I am new to better audio equipment and am looking for advice. Thanks.

[turnovertherecord]

Try what you have if you like,than all is well

Cables are a topic where some are on one side of the fence and others are on the other side

Rule of thumb is to spend 10%

If cables are shielded than give it a try

[BrysTony]

I agree that the cables from the turntable to the phono stage are most critical because of the low signal level from the cartridge.  However, I do not see the need for the cables from the phono stage to the preamp to be the same brand.  I suggest that you go with what you have for now until you are very familiar with how your system sounds.  You can then experiment with different cables to see if you get improvement.

Tony