Phono cable: definitely a difference maker

Joey_V

So I was testing two cables, wireworld gold and a generic. My friend loaned me his WW that he uses with his VPI Direct drive. I figured that if his table is better than mine that he would have good taste in phono cables.

It’s impressive to hear what a good cable does. You would figure that the first cable off the tonearm (after DIN) would be important and you would be right.

It improved the bass, improved the treble, removed hash and centered the image vertically. It gave that X factor, the feel of almost like a phantasm singing.

I probably went back and forth 10x, but in the end, I would say the differences are worth it. Without the cable, the avenger is reduced to sounding.... digital.

tratliff

Not a surprise. I have also tested a couple of cables from phono pre to pre. Not surprising they both had significant performance gains. I found that using like cables from manufacture throughout the chain provided the best results.

Joey_V

tratliff wrote: »

Not a surprise. I have also tested a couple of cables from phono pre to pre. Not surprising they both had significant performance gains. I found that using like cables from manufacture throughout the chain provided the best results.

What cables do you use

jdjohn

Yeah, the delicate signal of a phono cartridge needs good shielding and low capacitance.

Joey_V

jdjohn wrote: »

Yeah, the delicate signal of a phono cartridge needs good shielding and low capacitance.

I agree

Joey_V

My next question is can a regular rca be used in a vpi set up or do I really need to look for a phono din cable and then go through the trouble of reterminating?

tratliff

Joey_V wrote: »

tratliff wrote: »

Not a surprise. I have also tested a couple of cables from phono pre to pre. Not surprising they both had significant performance gains. I found that using like cables from manufacture throughout the chain provided the best results.

What cables do you use

Furutech. Same as in my complete system.

displayname

Joey_V wrote: »

My next question is can a regular rca be used in a vpi set up or do I really need to look for a phono din cable and then go through the trouble of reterminating?

Are you talking about your output cable, or the actual tonearm cable?

I'm pretty sure you can use any RCA + ground wire for the output on your current set up. The ground wire also doesn't need to be integrated into the jacket of the cable, some prefer that it isn't for flexibility. You should consider that because the phono signal is so low, using the same cables you have throughout your system may or may not be a good match between your TT and phonostage. Really any RCA will functionally work, but that perfect synergy could exist with a mix and match, in theory of course.

That junction box can also be upgraded. VPI has options to use a balanced output, and options with RCA or Balanced outputs with Nordost cable.
https://elusivedisc.com/search?search_query=vpi+junction+

If I'm not mistaken, the junction box can also be disassembled and you can run a direct Din to RCA or Din to balanced cable to remove multiple connection points in the chain.

tratliff

tratliff wrote: »

Furutech. Same as in my complete system.

Although they are the same make they are not the same cable. This is what I enjoy about working with Doug and Furutech. We can selected the cable needed, by specification, and then select terminators. Creating the cables in a custom way.

msg

displayname wrote: »

That junction box can also be upgraded. VPI has options to use a balanced output, and options with RCA or Balanced outputs with Nordost cable.

I like that VPI junction box. Curious, how might one go about securing it? That could be a bit of a disaster if the cable were yanked accidentally, or even just the weight of the cables causing it to slip off the shelf. Sometimes, if I'm running heavier cables from a component that is very lightweight, I'll find a way to secure the cable running from the component, usually nearer the component, so it's not weighing on the component; a bit of strain relief.

displayname

msg wrote: »

displayname wrote: »

That junction box can also be upgraded. VPI has options to use a balanced output, and options with RCA or Balanced outputs with Nordost cable.

I like that VPI junction box. Curious, how might one go about securing it? That could be a bit of a disaster if the cable were yanked accidentally, or even just the weight of the cables causing it to slip off the shelf. Sometimes, if I'm running heavier cables from a component that is very lightweight, I'll find a way to secure the cable running from the component, usually nearer the component, so it's not weighing on the component; a bit of strain relief.

This is technically all speculation because I haven't done it myself, but looking at this image...


And then read this description I found on Audiogon

The box is a bit tricky. It doesn't look like it does this, but the metal is actually U-shapped. You can get this off by removing the 2 chrome Phillips head screws. The whole box does not get removed...only the U-shaped metal that contains the jacks which goes around the top and then down in front. Remove this piece of metal with a screw driver...just pry it up in the back, and slide it off of the top. You don't have to take the piece off that says VPI. Take the similar piece off of the new box - I suppose it now has the XLR connections on it, and simply slide it on to the existing connected piece of box that is already installed on the table. Replace those 2 chrome-like Phillips head screws (unless you are going to use the anti-skate device) and you're in business.

So it sounds like the base of the junction box remains firmly secured to the arm board when you make this mod.

But your comment about the "could be a bit of a disaster if the cable were yanked" is 100% true. I think for most people running this type of table though, they know that it shouldn't be anywhere that it could get yanked. We're well past the point of casual listening in this price point. These are fine luxury products, and no yanking or other ruckus should be taking place in their vicinity, lol.

There are actually a few TTs that run solid direct cables. Rega is the big one that comes to mind. The signal from the cartridge is the lowest voltage signal you'll work with in your entire analog system, so anywhere you can remove a junction, solder point, material change, etc, should be advantageous... in theory.

displayname

Here's some pics that have the box open with the top and bottom of the box included. Should help make it easier to visualize.

msg

I went down a junction box rabbit hole this morning after seeing this. One thing I saw for mounting was plain old Velcro. Also saw at least one platform that looked specific to VPI tables, making a ledge of sorts off the back on which to mount the box.

There are all kinds of boxes out there for the DIYer, so, one could build a box as desired, with particular wiring, solder, and connectors. I thought about doing this a while back with a captive cables conversion on the SL-1200, but decided to just leave it alone. I didn't realize at the time that there were many prefab boxes out there, some with cables built-in.

jumpindick

Joey_V wrote: »

Without the cable, the avenger is reduced to sounding.... digital.

Joey- are you really moving away from your digital set up? Sounds like TT is making you sway more on true analog side than the so called digital to analog side

jdjohn

Joey_V wrote: »

jdjohn wrote: »

Yeah, the delicate signal of a phono cartridge needs good shielding and low capacitance.

I agree

It's a thing.