Phono cable requirements?

If you are using a low-output moving coil cartridge, cable capacitance is not a concern. I use high-capacitance Monster Cable M-1000i with my low-output moving coil cartridges and they work just fine.

On the other hand, if you have a high-output MM cartridge, capacitance is definitely a concern. You should use low capacitance cables with MM cartridges.

Another place you should use low-capacitance cables is on the output of a step-up transformer. The reason is that step-up transformers reflect capacitance on their outputs back to the cartridge multiplied by the square of their turns-ratio. For example, if you have 1:20 step-up transformer with 400-pF capacitance on its secondary, the cartridge will see 0.16-�F capacitance. This is a little bit higher than you would like even for a low-output moving coil.

Best regards,
John Elison

RE: Phono cable requirements?, posted on January 27, 2013 at 22:01:53

dconsmack
Audiophile

Posts: 73
Joined: September 12, 2009

Keep your phono cable at 1 meter and maximum 100pF, which might be as low as go can reasonably go for that length. It really has an effect of your treble response with moving magnet cartridges. In general, the more capacitance you have with MM, you'll have a measurably brighter treble response above flat which is not desirable because it will accentuate the ticks and pops of all records. You can always add capacitance, but you can't take it away. Keep it as low as possible for maximum flexibility with loading MM carts. Capacitance's influence on the frequency response of a moving coil cartridge is likely inconsequential.

I am confused. I thought high capacitance reduced treble response., posted on January 27, 2013 at 22:43:36
alaskahiatt	nt

RE: I am confused. I thought high capacitance reduced treble response., posted on January 27, 2013 at 23:22:25

dconsmack
Audiophile

Posts: 73
Joined: September 12, 2009

It depends. Adding capacitance will increase the treble response at a particular frequency, but then roll off after that. How much capacitance you have in relationship to your impedance will determine the frequency response in a moving magnet cartridge. I was able to understand this relationship by using The Ultimate Analogue Test LP's frequency response sweeps and the adjustment knobs for impedance and capacitance on the front of the EAR 324 phono stage using a variety of MM carts. Every one needs different loading to test flat.

Thanks., posted on January 28, 2013 at 00:04:27
alaskahiatt	nt

RE: Phono cable requirements?, posted on January 28, 2013 at 02:58:04
greg7 Audiophile Posts: 943 Location: AZ Joined: January 12, 2003	The cable is 1 meter in length but 140 pF based on my calculation. And I use a MM cartridge. What do you think -- bad idea?

RE: Phono cable requirements?, posted on January 28, 2013 at 09:14:46

griffithds

Some MM cartridges require a cap. of 400. Most require 100 to 200. Now that you know what your cables are, you now need to know what your phono stage settings (cap./resistance),settings are. Are they adjustable? Are they fixed and if so, what are they fixed at. If fixed at let say 200 cap. and your cables are 140 (total 340), and you are using a cartridge that wants to see 100, you might wind up with a sound that is a little bright. Then again, your system might roll off the top end and this setup might just improve your overall sound.
I'm not saying this is the right way to boost top end responce, just stating what would be the effect with the settings mentioned.
Cap./Res. only change the Frequence Responce and can not hurt anything so mount your cartridge and give it a try. You now know what you can do to alter the responce of what it produces. Reduce cap. if it's to bright, or raise it if it's to dull. Do it with your phono stage setting if their available. If not, then you will have to do it with cables. It really is all about what sounds right to you.
Regards,
Don

High Output MC?, posted on January 29, 2013 at 06:05:42
ydavid Audiophile Posts: 194 Joined: December 14, 2005	Does a high output moving coil also need low cable capacitance?

RE: High Output MC?, posted on January 29, 2013 at 07:45:55

John Elison
Audiophile

Posts: 24045
Location: Central Kentucky
Joined: December 20, 2000
Contributor
Since: January 29, 2004

Yes, all high-output cartridges should have low-capacitance cables.

What cables are you using? If they sound good, don't worry about them. High capacitance cables will not hurt any cartridge; they just might not sound as good. The high frequencies might be prematurely rolled off and there could be a resonance peak somewhere in the upper audible frequencies.

One of the reasons that I think low-output moving coils sound better than high-output cartridges is because the electrical resonance is moved well out of the audible range. Many people think moving coils have lower effective tip mass, but that's not really true. Cartridges with the lowest effective tip mass have all been moving magnets. Check out the link for why I think low-output moving coils are superior to high-output cartridges.

Best regards,
John Elison

MC vs. MM Cartridges

RE: High Output MC?, posted on January 29, 2013 at 08:26:05
ydavid Audiophile Posts: 194 Joined: December 14, 2005	Thank you for the informative response! I am using the Cardas microtwin IC with a Dynavector 10x5. It sounds good, much quieter and clearer than my Audioquest Diamondbacks, but I would prefer to have the optimal electrical connection to get the most out of the cartridge. The Turntable is the VPI Travleler and phono is the Musical Fidelity x lps v 3.

RE: High Output MC?, posted on January 29, 2013 at 11:59:57

John Elison
Audiophile

Posts: 24045
Location: Central Kentucky
Joined: December 20, 2000
Contributor
Since: January 29, 2004

I don't know the capacitance of Cardas Microtwin, but it is double shielded so it probably has high capacitance. All you can do is try a low-capacitance cable and see if you like it better. Use the cable that sounds best to you.

Good luck,
John Elison

PS. KAB sells a low capacitance cable called "Blues" with 65-pF per meter. It costs only $28 for a one-meter pair. Check it out at the following link. Click on "Phono Preamps" and scroll down to "ART Mogami Cables."

KAB Acoustics

Vinyl Asylum

Phono cable requirements?

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