Phono Pre RCA Cabling Question

[maxsmart]

I am interested in insight/opinions on what cable characteristics and brands I should consider for my first standalone phono preamp for my RCA connections from the phono preamp to my preamp.

I will be using my current TT (Yamaha PX-3), AT-ML150/OCC cartridge, Ray Samuels F-117 phono preamp, and McIntosh MX-135 A/V preamp.

I will be able to position the F-117 so I can keep the cable length to 1M.

Thanks.

[AudioNut]

It usually makes sense to use cables from the same manufacturer throughout your system.

You wil have a cable from the turntable to the phono pre, a cable from the phono pre to your preamp and still another cable from the preamp to the amp, and then another set of cables - your speaker wires - from the amp to your speakers.

The cable from your phono preamp to the preamp will be carrying a high level signal (as opposed to the low level signal from the TT to the phono pre) and will not require any special characteristics (often cable manufacturers will make the turntable cables specifically for that duty)

There are a lot of "good" cable manufacturers to choose from and I would recommend that you consider using similar cables throughout.

[Formerly YB-2]

Can you go 0.5M between the F-117 and MX135? Shorter is almost always better (and marginally less expensive).

Also, if you have the ability, changing out the IC from your PX-3 to the F-117 will be a nice upgrade. IIRC. the TA wires in the PX-3 go to a small board inside the PX-3, so simple enough to change. With MM cartridges, getting the capacitance (total of the IC capacitance and phono preamp capacitance setting) down to the 100-200 range will generally smooth out their tipped-up highs.

[Gene]

Originally Posted by maxsmart

I am interested in insight/opinions on what cable characteristics and brands I should consider for my first standalone phono preamp for my RCA connections from the phono preamp to my preamp.

I will be using my current TT (Yamaha PX-3), AT-ML150/OCC cartridge, Ray Samuels F-117 phono preamp, and McIntosh MX-135 A/V preamp.

I will be able to position the F-117 so I can keep the cable length to 1M.

Thanks.

I was quite impressed when I installed Cardas Neutral Reference between my Sutherland PhD phono pre to my ARC linestage.

[maxsmart]

Originally Posted by Formerly YB-2

Can you go 0.5M between the F-117 and MX135? Shorter is almost always better (and marginally less expensive).

I will look into this further. I suspect it will come down to access to the power adapter connector for the F-117.

Originally Posted by Formerly YB-2

Also, if you have the ability, changing out the IC from your PX-3 to the F-117 will be a nice upgrade. IIRC. the TA wires in the PX-3 go to a small board inside the PX-3, so simple enough to change. With MM cartridges, getting the capacitance (total of the IC capacitance and phono preamp capacitance setting) down to the 100-200 range will generally smooth out their tipped-up highs.

I have the ability and was considering the same. I will have to see what IC options exist here - i.e., does anyone market ICs with one end unterminated and the other terminated (RCA).

Any idea if replacing the TA wires will realize and tangible gains? If yes, any insight in to how major this work might be?

[Formerly YB-2]

Most any of the cable manufacturers will sell you their phono cable without the DIN connector. Just contact them and ask. Also, Dan points out some of the advantages of the proper cable in this thread:
http://audioaficionado.org/phono-pre...ono-cable.html
The Kimber phono-ICs also have <50pf/m capacitance.

On the PX-3, is quite simple (have had both the PX-3 and PX-2). The wires from the tonearm terminate at a small board and the phono IC is soldered to the same board. Just wick the solder off the IC leads and install the new one in its place. You will need to flip the PX-3 on its back to do so, but is a whole lot lighter and easy to do than is the PX-2. Make sure you remove the platter and anything else that is loose, first. It rests nicely on its dustcover. Use a twist-tie to tie the arm to the rest, as well. It can go sliding across if you don't. If you have any detailed questions, etc., send me a PM. Am guessing you can download the manuals from the VE (once I send them in).

[maxsmart]

Originally Posted by Gene

I was quite impressed when I installed Cardas Neutral Reference between my Sutherland PhD phono pre to my ARC linestage.

Thank you for the Cardas product recommendation.