What are you using as a Phono Interconnect?

putz · « **on:** 22 Aug 2011, 03:31 am »

I just picked up a VPI Aries with the JMW 10.5i arm. My cart is a Grado Reference Sonata. Preamp is by Vista. Amp is a Jolida 502BRC. Concerned with possible hum issues.

Please weigh in on what interconnect you're using, what you like about it and any recommendations you'd like to make for me.

2gumby2 · « **Reply #1 on:** 22 Aug 2011, 10:32 am »

I'm using a Vista phono preamp and using Blue Jeans Cable LC-1 interconnects. I'm very happy with this combination.

Letitroll98 · « **Reply #2 on:** 22 Aug 2011, 01:22 pm »

Zu Xuas phono cable, unfortunately no longer available new. They come up on eBay and A-gon from time to time.

dminches · « **Reply #3 on:** 22 Aug 2011, 01:27 pm »

Grover Huffman SX phono interconnect.

decal · « **Reply #4 on:** 22 Aug 2011, 01:33 pm »

I use Signal Cable. I have no idea if you will like it with your gear.

orientalexpress · « **Reply #5 on:** 22 Aug 2011, 01:34 pm »

Tuan aka "Sonny" revealing cable ,i think Bill the table guy is using it also

lapsan

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #6 on:** 22 Aug 2011, 02:58 pm »

Quote from: orientalexpress on 22 Aug 2011, 01:34 pm

Tuan aka "Sonny" revealing cable ,i think Bill the table guy is using it also

lapsan

Hey lapsan!

Tuan/sonny's cable is really, really nice sounding....but, not recommended as a phono lead as its unshielded (probably why it sounds so good on line level sources and between amp-preamp)

It caused a distinctive hum from the VPI Classic...whereas a plain jane Monster Cable, generously shielded but more veiled at line level sources, is employed with perfect suitability.

Hum is a greater issue than slight veiling with TT's...go shielded there.

John

vinyl_guy · « **Reply #7 on:** 22 Aug 2011, 04:46 pm »

I use two. One is a Cardas Golden Reference http://www.cardas.com/content.php?area=products&content_id=5&pagestring=Phono&product_id=37 and the other is a Bolder cable made by Wayne1. The Bolder was less than 1/2 the price of the Cardas and every bit as good. My cartridge is a Lyra Skala MC and I use the Art Audio Vinyl Reference tubed phono stage with no noise or hum issues. Both cables sound great--balanced with lots of detail--everything your cartridge can pull out of the grooves.

Laura

Sonny · « **Reply #8 on:** 22 Aug 2011, 05:39 pm »

Quote from: TheChairGuy on 22 Aug 2011, 02:58 pm

Hey lapsan!

Tuan/sonny's cable is really, really nice sounding....but, not recommended as a phono lead as its unshielded (probably why it sounds so good on line level sources and between amp-preamp)

It caused a distinctive hum from the VPI Classic...whereas a plain jane Monster Cable, generously shielded but more veiled at line level sources, is employed with perfect suitability.

Hum is a greater issue than slight veiling with TT's...go shielded there.

John

John, that should not be...I use my cables on my VPI 10.5 tonearm without issue...are you using a ground wire from the tonearm to phono pre? This should not be the case as Lap is using a 12ft cable I think...and Bill is using a 3ft, with no issues, as well as others. Make sure the direction is correct and you're using a ground cable.
Tuan

Minn Mark · « **Reply #9 on:** 22 Aug 2011, 06:32 pm »

I have a VPI Classic I with a Sumiko Blackbird, into an AVA Insight preamp with built-in phono stage (MM). I have used Audio Advisor Black Mamba II (1 m pair), Kimber Hero (1 m pair) and Bluejeans cables (1 m pair). Currently using the Bluejeans, and love them.

Mark

www.avahifi.com

www.bluejeanscable.com

Dpod4 · « **Reply #10 on:** 22 Aug 2011, 07:23 pm »

I'm using a Tara Labs Zero GX din to RCA cable, which works great with my Benz cartridge, Graham tonearm and Herron phono preamp. Very transparent, fast, precise, lets all the signal pass thru and innovative grounding options takes noise level way down. The other cable I have is the Hovland Music Groove 2 (not using it, am willing to sell it) which has a fuller/richer sound than the Tara Labs and almost competes to the same level. For a good review of phono cables, see this link to Michael Fremer's phono cable shootout from a few years ago (www.elusivedisc.com/Esoteric8NredphonocablesMFreview.pdf ).

putz · « **Reply #11 on:** 22 Aug 2011, 07:54 pm »

Quote from: Dpod4 on 22 Aug 2011, 07:23 pm

For a good review of phono cables, see this link to Michael Fremer's phono cable shootout from a few years ago (www.elusivedisc.com/Esoteric8NredphonocablesMFreview.pdf ).

That wasn't very Cheap and Cheerful.

orthobiz · « **Reply #12 on:** 22 Aug 2011, 09:34 pm »

Used Linn Silver connect. Usually get them for under 200 a pair.
I still got that "Linn" thing going on.

Paul

pansixt · « **Reply #13 on:** 23 Aug 2011, 12:10 am »

I am using some over twenty year old Joe Grado IC's that came with my Sota Sapphire.

They still sound good so I have no need to change them.

Knock, Knock, Knock on wood.

James

Sonny · « **Reply #14 on:** 13 Jan 2012, 07:05 pm »

Quote from: TheChairGuy on 22 Aug 2011, 02:58 pm

Hey lapsan!

Tuan/sonny's cable is really, really nice sounding....but, not recommended as a phono lead as its unshielded (probably why it sounds so good on line level sources and between amp-preamp)

It caused a distinctive hum from the VPI Classic...whereas a plain jane Monster Cable, generously shielded but more veiled at line level sources, is employed with perfect suitability.

Hum is a greater issue than slight veiling with TT's...go shielded there.

John

John, are you still having issues with that hum using my cables? It's strange as I use it on my VPI 10.5i arm and Bill Berndt uses on his TT as well as a few others. Must be the high RFI or EMI in Tiburon!

Sonny · « **Reply #15 on:** 13 Jan 2012, 07:05 pm »

Quote from: putz on 22 Aug 2011, 03:31 am

I just picked up a VPI Aries with the JMW 10.5i arm. My cart is a Grado Reference Sonata. Preamp is by Vista. Amp is a Jolida 502BRC. Concerned with possible hum issues.

Please weigh in on what interconnect you're using, what you like about it and any recommendations you'd like to make for me.

Putz, what did you end up using for your phono cable?
If you're interested I can send you a pair to try, you just have to pay shipping.
Tuan

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #16 on:** 13 Jan 2012, 07:18 pm »

Quote from: Sonny on 13 Jan 2012, 07:05 pm

John, are you still having issues with that hum using my cables? It's strange as I use it on my VPI 10.5i arm and Bill Berndt uses on his TT as well as a few others. Must be the high RFI or EMI in Tiburon!

Hey 'Daddy' T:

No issues with hum anymore as I'm using the Monster Cable

I got my VPI Classic when I lived within sight line of Sutro Tower in San Francisco right across the San Francisco Bay and had hum issues with your cable (using ground and trying without ground, too).

As you probably know, Sutro Tower is the main TV and Radio tower for the San Francisco Bay area.

Then, when I moved 20 months ago to the East Bay side of Tiburon I figured I could use your cable again - but when I tried it I had the same issue. I don't hear AM Radio along with the hum (usually the source of RFI), so perhaps it's an EMI issue that is happening

Dunno', it just is. Lovely sounding cable, but this far, unable to use for use with the VPI Classic I have

Sonny · « **Reply #17 on:** 13 Jan 2012, 07:20 pm »

Quote from: TheChairGuy on 13 Jan 2012, 07:18 pm

Hey 'Daddy' T:

No issues with hum anymore as I'm using the Monster Cable

I got my VPI Classic when I lived within sight line of Sutro Tower in San Francisco right across the San Francisco Bay and had hum issues with your cable (using ground and trying without ground, too).

As you probably know, Sutro Tower is the main TV and Radio tower for the San Francisco Bay area.

Then, when I moved 20 months ago to the East Bay side of Tiburon I figured I could use your cable again - but when I tried it I had the same issue. I don't hear AM Radio along with the hum (usually the source of RFI), so perhaps it's an EMI issue that is happening

Dunno', it just is. Lovely sounding cable, but this far, unable to use for use with the VPI Classic I have

Sorry John to hear that, it's very strange...I guess if it's hum, it could be an issue with the system grounding? From Phono pre to pre to amp? etc???

putz · « **Reply #18 on:** 13 Jan 2012, 07:55 pm »

Quote from: Sonny on 13 Jan 2012, 07:05 pm

Putz, what did you end up using for your phono cable?
If you're interested I can send you a pair to try, you just have to pay shipping.
Tuan

I ordered the Blue Jeans LC-1 cable and for an extra $3 they added a ground wire to the techflex.

I'd consider trying a pair of your cables to compare. PM me.

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #19 on:** 13 Jan 2012, 08:34 pm »

Quote from: Sonny on 13 Jan 2012, 07:20 pm

Sorry John to hear that, it's very strange...I guess if it's hum, it could be an issue with the system grounding? From Phono pre to pre to amp? etc???

Could be...but, no hum when I use the Monster Cable. I haven't tried others I have laying around as the Monster Cable is quite effective at rendering any hum inaudible.

9 years ago when I lived in Washington DC I lived about 400 yards from the main TV/radio towers for the DC-area. Back then I had to even buy shielded loudspeaker cables (hard to find!) to keep things quiet in my system. Everything had to be shielded as I was so close to Radio Frequency emitting towers.

I know, in particular, because I had one of the Kimber IC's and 4TC speaker cable and the hum was problematic with both.

I don't know, I'd have figured my move to the East Bay facing side of this peninsula I live on would've eliminated the hum interaction when using your cable - but, it didn't.

I love the whole idea behind unshielded cables - they sound cleaner (right down to the cheapie crap from Radio Shack and OEM cables that come free with certain components you buy). I'm not saying the cheapies are better overall, but there is a cleaner sound to those without shielding that I prefer and why I'd prefer to use your cable if I didn't have this hum issue when doing so.

It's simply a great cable between CDP and preamp (my amps have semi-permanent IC's wired into them...vintage Dukane PA amps they are - so I don't know how that connection would sound with them)

John