We have several experts on analog on this forum. So, with that said, I would like to get the member's feedback as to the "all important" phono cable.
I haven't seen much credence given to this cable by reviewers, BUT I would think it is perhaps the most important cable in the chain.( or maybe not
To my questions: 1) who uses the DIN connection vs. the RCA connection and why? 2) Which cable do you use and why? 3) Can one use a generic ic cable as
a substitute cable in this position? 4) Is length that important...shorter the better or no difference? 5) grounding wire...yes or no? 6) Is it important to have the same
make of cable in this position as the rest of your ic's/speaker cables? 7) Who has their tonearm wire from the cartridge connect directly to the preamp...thereby bypassing the 'phono cable' connection at the tonearm. ( i.e. no separate phono cable and no junction box/connection which I would think would be the best solution, BUT could bring other issues to be considered).
Lastly, are we to be concerned about the type/ design of the wiring from the cartridge to the junction box of the tonearm, or ??
I have some experience here. All DIN terminations off the tonearm...When I had my SME 20/2 SME IV.Vi arm, Lyra Skala Cartridge I tried the following cables:
1)Stock SME (think it was some sort of vandenhul
2)Graham IC50
3)Hovland Music Groove
4)Purist Venastas
5)Purist Proteus Provectus
6)Purist Proteus Provectus Praesto
This are in order of preferenence. As you moved through resolution, quietness goes up. The purist cables added some warmth also versus the sliver graham ic50, which I never quite (pardon this) warmed up to. The Hovland was a nice cable for the $$'s. But the Purist Venastas is a significant difference and improvement in nearly all areas. It's like a cartridge upgrade.
Since the SME table, I moved to a GrandPrix Monaco Table with a specially factory wired Tri Planar (current u ii version) that terminates in a DIN connector about 4-6 inches from the base of arm. Lyra Skala or Allaerts MC2 Finish cartridge. The only cables I've tried here are the Purist Proteus Provectus Praesto or a Transparent Reference XL mm2. Again both being din to rca cables.
I didn't mention this above, but the Purist PPP vs the Venastas is a big step up in resolution, beauty in the mids, wonderful clear extended top end, even more quiet...maybe looses just a touch in deep bass extension that the Purist Venastas possesses. The Transparent Ref XL MM2 is very similar to the Purist Proteus Provectus Praesto except it adds the deep bass extension back and it's even MORE quiet, allow more details, imaging clues, to emerge. Maybe a touch warmer also on top...matches a bit better with my Wilson Maxx 3's.
All have grounding wires. I do think it's important to match your cables up here. One less variable. But I am from the camp of using (signal) cable all from one manufacturer.
Hope this helps...my 2 cents at least!
