Vinyl Asylum

Welcome Licorice Pizza (LP) lovers! Setup guides and Vinyl FAQ.

Return to Vinyl Asylum

Do dedicated phono cables have different capacitance/conductance levels?

202.58.102.1
Posted on November 4, 2009 at 22:26:55
Eddie T
Audiophile

Posts: 163
Location: Bombay
Joined: September 18, 2000
 Hi,
I've recently set up a SME III tonearm on my Garrard 301, where the original SME phono cables were MIA. Using many different sets of standard interconnects, I'm just about getting a very low volume level through my speakers with an Audio-technica AT120E cartridge. This cartridge had worked fine on my second TT with the rest of the electronics unchanged. Could it be a problem with the inter-connects? Are phono cables designed with a diff conductance capacity, given the low signal levels? Incidentally, I've checked for continuity between the cartridge pins up to the RCA sockets at the base of the arm using a meter, and it seems fine.
Any reply would be highly appreciated. Thanks in advance
Eddie

You have a bad connection somewhere, posted on November 5, 2009 at 12:00:30
Bruce from DC
Bored Member

Posts: 18025
Location: U.S. Capital
Joined: October 13, 1999
Contributor
  Since: March 1, 1999
 or, a maladjusted phono stage (doubtful, since you're using an MM cartridge that requires the standard 47Kohm input impedance)

Different cables do have different capacitance, a function of the cable design, dielectric, etc. However, this will only affect the high-frequency sounds and not the absolute loudness level.

My bet is on a cold solder joint or a dirty (or oxidized) metal-to-metal contact.


RE: You have a bad connection somewhere, posted on November 5, 2009 at 21:25:23
Eddie T
Audiophile

Posts: 163
Location: Bombay
Joined: September 18, 2000
 Thanks, Bruce, for your reply.

You're probably right about the cold solder, since all other points of failure have been eliminated.

regards,
Eddie

The original SME III tonearm cable is a bit different to the norm, posted on November 5, 2009 at 04:31:09
B.K.
Audiophile

Posts: 569
Location: Ireland
Joined: February 18, 2007
Contributor
  Since: March 12, 2007
 As it happens, the original SME III tonearm cable is a bit different to the norm.

The series III cable includes a 150pF capacitor in the RCA plugs at the phono input end to provide (what SME considered at the time) the optimum load on an MM cartridge.

However, changing the cable to one without the capacitors should not have a significant on the level of the sound. It is most likely the problem is somewhere else; for example, an incorrect setting in the phono stage.

BK

RE: The original SME III tonearm cable is a bit different to the norm, posted on November 5, 2009 at 21:23:42
Eddie T
Audiophile

Posts: 163
Location: Bombay
Joined: September 18, 2000
 Thanks, BK, for your reply.

I'd read somewhere, too, about the capacitors on the original SME cables. Since, as you confirm, that really does not affect the level of the sound, the absence of such on regular cables is not the problem. My phono settings are apparently OK, since the MM cartridge on my second TT plays fine.

Guess I'll have to check for cold solder, and that's a tough one.

regards
Eddie

Try to locate the problem, may use another cart for your Garrard/SME..., posted on November 5, 2009 at 01:32:19
DanWKW
Audiophile

Posts: 467
Location: Hong Kong
Joined: June 17, 2009
 Dear Eddie,
If you use an MC cart, make sure you have changed X-LP to MC setting. If the problem persists, it may be the fault of your SME, like loose contacts or broken wirings, etc. If not, your AT-120E may be the source of the problem. When was the last time you heard the AT-120E? What else did you change except the TT/arm?

Good luck, buddy:)
Dan












Remember there are a lot of people around the world, who are suffering from poverty and diseases, in need of our help. Please save some for them, find any reliable organizations and donate to them.
RE: Try to locate the problem, may use another cart for your Garrard/SME..., posted on November 5, 2009 at 21:19:20
Eddie T
Audiophile

Posts: 163
Location: Bombay
Joined: September 18, 2000
 Thanks, Dan.

I'd heard the 120E on my second TT recently and it sounded fine.

On the SME III, I also set up a Shure 104E and the problem was the same.
The X-LP was also correctly set to the MM setting, which works fine on my second TT.

Maybe, as suggested elsewhere, it might be a cold solder, or a loose contact. The contacts as I can see are all pretty tight, but cold solder is a tough one to locate. I'll have to try and re-solder everything, a daunting proposition.

Eddie

RE: Do dedicated phono cables have different capacitance/conductance levels?, posted on November 4, 2009 at 22:31:35
AudioTrip
Audiophile

Posts: 23
Joined: October 24, 2009
 Different phono cables do not change the volume only the"tone"!

Silver can be up to1.06 % more conductive than 6 nines pure copper., posted on November 4, 2009 at 23:41:36
tubesforever
Manufacturer

Posts: 9128
Location: Great Basin
Joined: May 7, 2005
 It has a louder signature in my system. Its not a big jump but it is noticeable never the less.

In my experience the purer the metal the better it sounds in terms of loudness and overall clarity. So a 6 nines pure copper might sound a lot better than 99.6 pure silver wire.

4 nines pure Silver also provides a tighter and more extended bass, an enhanced spread in the midrange and highs don't sound like white noise within my high fidelity system.

Silver does not improve every system so check them out before dropping down your hard earned cash.

Wires can be measured for conductivity, resistance, inductance and capacitance. These characteristics of wire can conspire to alter the relative loudness of a set of interconnects.

YMMV


"Music Matters" Help support our schools music programs.
RE: Silver can be up to1.06 % more conductive than 6 nines pure copper., posted on November 6, 2009 at 11:50:24
The Bored
Bored Member

Posts: 1129
Joined: July 28, 2000
Contributor
  Since: March 1, 1999
 tubesforever, jim howard, ironandtubes,

We have determined that even though you are quick to say that the "The Vinyl asylum can sometime be an ugly place that discourages discourse and stiffles free exchange of concepts and ideas," it is you who has misled the forum with respect to revealing the true nature and extent of your involvement in the trade. The time has come for you to change your registration to accurately reflect your industry status. Thank you for your immediate cooperation.


Fax mentis incendium gloria cultum, et cetera, et cetera...
Memo bis punitor delicatum! It's all there, black and white,
clear as crystal! Blah, blah, and so on and so forth ...

RE: Silver can be up to1.06 % more conductive than 6 nines pure copper., posted on November 5, 2009 at 14:01:39
AudioTrip
Audiophile

Posts: 23
Joined: October 24, 2009
 The difference in conductivity is "insignificant" in terms of resistance of the cable. The gauge and length of the wire has "much" more effect on resistance and apparent volume!

Your post belongs in "the truth is out there" cable forum!

Page processed in 0.124 seconds.

[ Top Top of Page ] [ Contact Us ] [ Support/Wish List ] [ Copyright © 2009, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ] [ Go Green ] [ Take5 ]
[ General ] [ Speakers ] [ Tubes ] [ Vinyl ] [ Digital ] [ Hi-Rez ] [ Video Asylum ] [ Cables ] [ Tweaks/DIY ] [ Music ] [ Films ]