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Tonearm Interface/Junction Box

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Posted on January 30, 2015 at 08:01:14
Catastrofe
Audiophile

Posts: 93
Location: St. Louis
Joined: August 10, 2002
 Looking for opinions on the use of an interface box as opposed to direct wiring. I realize it's another connection point, but does the flexibility outweigh that point?

All perspectives appreciated, especially those with direct experience.

 

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RE: Tonearm Interface/Junction Box, posted on January 30, 2015 at 09:35:08
SgreenP@MSN.com
Audiophile

Posts: 3538
Joined: April 23, 2007
 VPI doesn't think so....you might want to use one of theirs. Even if you don't have a VPI arm, if you send them yours, they could put one of those connections on for you.

 

RE: Tonearm Interface/Junction Box, posted on January 30, 2015 at 10:03:35
Mel
Audiophile

Posts: 2993
Location: New York City Area
Joined: February 21, 2001
 You haven't told us much about your set-up.

Though I have a VPI arm with a junction box, I do not see its value (unless you like to change arms easily and/or often) as it requires two connections right at the box. Better I think, if you can, is to run the wires from your arm directly into the phono pre--like the old Alphason arms. If that proves inconvenient, you can always terminate your arm wire with RCA jacks. That's how some TT manufacturers do it anyway. Or you can use a 5 pin DIN connector.

 

RE: Tonearm Interface/Junction Box, posted on January 30, 2015 at 10:46:51
wires
Manufacturer

Posts: 64
Joined: April 12, 2001
 You fail to mention which arm you have. With the VPI the junction box is due to the ability to change arm wands, and allows the user to use whatever cables he or she prefers. Most arms benefit from direct wiring, thereby eliminating a connection. It all depends on one's needs.

 

RE: Tonearm Interface/Junction Box, posted on January 30, 2015 at 11:18:08
Catastrofe
Audiophile

Posts: 93
Location: St. Louis
Joined: August 10, 2002
 Thanks guys. My tonearm is hard-wired to a DIN connector, so I can use a standard DIN-RCA tonearm cable (which is what I currently have), or something like the Cardas or 1877Phono junction boxes with standard ICs. Just wondering what experience others have had.

 

RE: Tonearm Interface/Junction Box, posted on January 30, 2015 at 11:29:21
Waxxy
Audiophile

Posts: 2648
Joined: July 19, 2011
Contributor
  Since: November 22, 2011
 I've got a VPI arm with a junction box, but I like to swap out cartridges so it's convenient for me. If I wasn't swapping, I'd avoid that method. When comparing a straight through to male RCA configuration, It's not just one extra connection, it's six!!

In VPI's case, the tonearm wires are soldered to a Lemco connector (1) which plugs into the junction box (2). Inside the junction box is a short piece of wire soldered to the Lemco input and the RCA output (3 and 4). Your choice of external cable will be plugged into the RCA output (5) and those cables contain one more solder joint (6).

That's a lot of extra connections for a teeny tiny electrical signal to pass through.

Back in the day, the best upgrade I made to my old Kenwood was to bypass the internal wire and run 30 gauge solid core direct from headshell clips to male RCAs which plugged directly into the phono stage.

 

RE: Tonearm Interface/Junction Box, posted on January 30, 2015 at 12:27:54
John Elison
Audiophile

Posts: 23904
Location: Central Kentucky
Joined: December 20, 2000
Contributor
  Since: January 29, 2004
 > That's a lot of extra connections for a teeny tiny electrical signal to pass through.

This is a common misconception about electricity. The number of connections have no greater impact on a very low current electrical signal as on a high current signal. In other words, if there is any sort of negative effect regarding these connections, it makes no difference whatsoever whether the electrical signal is in microamperes or amperes. Furthermore, if the connections are constructed properly, they will have negligible impact on the signal.

In order to make sure electrical connections have the least impact on any electrical signals, it is important to use a contact enhancer such as Caig DeoxIT Gold on all unplugable connections. For solder connections it is important to use the best solder.

Connection points increase resistance. However, when done properly any additional resistance will be negligible. In fact, the additional resistance from running 33-gauge wire an extra meter to your preamp will probably be 100-times greater than the resistance of six additional connections done properly.

Best regards,
John Elison

 

Well there ya go...., posted on January 30, 2015 at 12:52:21
Waxxy
Audiophile

Posts: 2648
Joined: July 19, 2011
Contributor
  Since: November 22, 2011
 My theory made sense in my head.

Thanks for bringing forth the facts John. I guess I should edumicate myself a little better on the hows and whys of electrons. :-)

 

The best solder, posted on January 30, 2015 at 12:59:02
unclestu
Dealer

Posts: 5851
Joined: April 13, 2010
 an Indium based one has only 28% the resistance of copper wire. The more connections the worse it does become, simply because the solder forms an interface between the connector and the wire. No solder and after a few years that crimped interface corrodes, at least in my experience.

 

Thank you for saying what I was thinking! nt, posted on January 30, 2015 at 12:59:19
Dman
Audiophile

Posts: 7211
Location: Kansas
Joined: January 28, 2001
 nt

Dman
Analog Junkie

 

RE: The best solder, posted on January 30, 2015 at 13:28:04
unclestu
Dealer

Posts: 5851
Joined: April 13, 2010
 Sorry, reference can be found on the Indium website. The indium Corp, also makes standard type solders, SN62, etc. so you can easily make comparison.

 

RE: The best solder, posted on January 31, 2015 at 11:32:10
Waxxy
Audiophile

Posts: 2648
Joined: July 19, 2011
Contributor
  Since: November 22, 2011
 Great info Stu. Thanks for sharing.

 

Ugh....which one, posted on January 31, 2015 at 12:27:26
Penguin
Audiophile

Posts: 7116
Location: Delaware
Joined: August 5, 2001
 most of the solder sold under the indium name is not made of indium :)....the ones i found are like SAC 305 or Sn63 Pb37 some with silver, mostly traditional mixes :)

dee
;-D
True terror is to wake up one morning and discover that your high school class is running the country.

quote by Kurt Vonnegut

 

RE: Ugh....which one, posted on February 1, 2015 at 00:20:30
unclestu
Dealer

Posts: 5851
Joined: April 13, 2010
 Indium is found mixed in with lead in nature and is a bit difficult to extract. Hence the indium corp makes standard lead solder too. Their website lists conductivity of their solders. I honestly forgot the high conductivity formula, except for the fact that it was expensive. I have some somewhere but have yet to make a controlled listening test.
Also interesting to note much lower melting point. Might be good for smd stuff.

 

OK got off my butt, posted on February 1, 2015 at 00:34:44
unclestu
Dealer

Posts: 5851
Joined: April 13, 2010
 sn62 conductivity 11.9%
97 In, 3Ag. 23%
100 In. 24%

These indium formulations not common at all and pricey

 

LOL!!, posted on February 1, 2015 at 00:52:27
unclestu
Dealer

Posts: 5851
Joined: April 13, 2010
 EBay has a pound of 97in3ag solder. Buy it now for $4950!!!!

 

yeah right :), posted on February 1, 2015 at 06:42:13
Penguin
Audiophile

Posts: 7116
Location: Delaware
Joined: August 5, 2001
 that is probably not the source i want to use...


dee
;-D
True terror is to wake up one morning and discover that your high school class is running the country.

quote by Kurt Vonnegut

 

On a second thought....., posted on February 1, 2015 at 06:48:21
Penguin
Audiophile

Posts: 7116
Location: Delaware
Joined: August 5, 2001
 May not be really horrible : depending on how much a 3' by .03" weights

dee
;-D

True terror is to wake up one morning and discover that your high school class is running the country.

quote by Kurt Vonnegut

 

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