Which cable type is better suited as phono interconnect?

[markstein]

I am wondering which of the following two cable types is better suited as unbalanced phono interconnect? The one marketed as "high end phono cable" (Sommer Cable Albedo MkII) or the one designed for digital connection (Sommer Cable Vector), and why?

NF-Phono cable, HighEnd SC-Albedo MKII; 2 x 0,20 mm²; PVC Ø 5,90 mm; green | 800-0104

When a pin drops...and if we can appreciate their sound, we have not only an excellent hearing, but certainly excellent hi-fi components in the phono rack as well. For highest demands and listening enjoyment we have designed the SC-ALBEDO MKII reference…

www.sommercable.com

video cable SC-Vector (RCB); 1 x 0,80; PVC Ø 6,00 mm; green | 600-0164

As swift as an arrow...Is the data transmission of the SC-Vector (RCB) with a transfer rate of 1.5 Gb/s which also guarantees a low return loss. Of course, the SC-Vector (RCB) is also suitable as a high-grade G-SDI video cable for studio or OB van applic…

www.sommercable.com

Background:
The Vector cable seems to be better suited IMO, however I am no expert:
- coaxial (better RFI immunity)
- lower capacitance

Only drawback is that this cable is significantly more rigid.

Am I wrong?

 

[Ruediger]

I actually never tried a video cable for phono interconnect. I guess you could do that. Rule of thumb I once picked up: "a good 75ohm cable over distance loosing less signal than a bad 50ohm cable is the better choice". But that was about 10+m of distance.

Opinion on these Sommer cables: I have a lot of cables from them, also GoldKabel, as they have a lot to offer in the excellent build quality / solid shielding / proper plug department. Some of these cables for 15+ years. I guess they will last a lifetime without accidents. But none of them cost more than 60 € with max. length 3m.

My environment (with phono/tapes/recording) is pretty wasted with interferences, but I have no problems besides a PC making a DAC noisy via usb/rca. Had to make that line digital. For phono I currently use a Sommer cable from the basic line, rca from a Lehmann cube to trs/adc. It's 3m and has no problems.

While this is a hobby and it's fun not to make any compromise, I would get some more info or maybe a test on that first cable. Will it actually do anything beyond a standard cable? Does your environment require hyper-uber-shielding, assuming it is even better at that? It's a lot of money.

 

[LTig]

Get the Vector due to its lower capacitance and higher RFI immunity, and as short as possible.

That said, have a look at this one:

Instrument Cable SC-SPIRIT LLX "LOW LOSS"; 1 x 0,38 mm²; PVC Ø 7,20 mm; black | 300-0091

Instrumentenkabel SC-SPIRIT LLX "LOW LOSS"; 1 x 0,38 mm²; PVC Ø 7,20 mm in bewährter Sorglos-Qualität hier online bestellen. 30% Rabatt auf Versandkosten (EU-weit). Bühne / live, Mobiler Einsatz outdoor / indoor, Studio / Broadcast, Installation

www.sommercable.com

It's also low capacity and probably more flexible as well. IMV it's the better choice.

 

[markstein]

That said, have a look at this one:

Instrument Cable SC-SPIRIT LLX "LOW LOSS"; 1 x 0,38 mm²; PVC Ø 7,20 mm; black | 300-0091

Instrumentenkabel SC-SPIRIT LLX "LOW LOSS"; 1 x 0,38 mm²; PVC Ø 7,20 mm in bewährter Sorglos-Qualität hier online bestellen. 30% Rabatt auf Versandkosten (EU-weit). Bühne / live, Mobiler Einsatz outdoor / indoor, Studio / Broadcast, Installation

www.sommercable.com

It's also low capacity and probably more flexible as well. IMV it's the better choice.

You are right, that one will be much more flexible. however, diameter is considerably larger - not compatible with my "standard" Rean RCA connectors.

Reason for discussing the Vector cable is that I have some of this still available from another build (SPDIF cables), and now considering its suitability for unbalanced phono cable usage.

 

[LTig]

Well, in this case the Vector is perfectly suited.

 

[Ropeburn]

You are right, that one will be much more flexible. however, diameter is considerably larger - not compatible with my "standard" Rean RCA connectors.

Reason for discussing the Vector cable is that I have some of this still available from another build (SPDIF cables), and now considering its suitability for unbalanced phono cable usage.

Brotip for RCA plugs:

Rean NYS 373 and Amphenol ACPR. Both support the usual 6-6.5mm instrument cable, sturdy, easy to solder, 2-3 moneys each.

 

[Speedskater]

For most MM phono cartridges to pre-amp input circuits, total cable capacitance is part of the calculation. So most designs expect that a reasonable common coax cable of about 1 meter(3 feet) will be used. So don't chose a cable with a very low or very high capacitance.

 

[markstein]

Brotip for RCA plugs:

View attachment 516866

Rean NYS 373 and Amphenol ACPR. Both support the usual 6-6.5mm instrument cable, sturdy, easy to solder, 2-3 moneys each.

The Rean NYS is my standard choice - I think the strain relief does not support 6.5mm cable? Nevertheless a perfect choice!

 

[markstein]

For most MM phono cartridges to pre-amp input circuits, total cable capacitance is part of the calculation. So most designs expect that a reasonable common coax cable of about 1 meter(3 feet) will be used. So don't chose a cable with a very low or very high capacitance.

While this may be correct for some phono stages, I would not like to use such a long cable with an unbalanced connection because of potential noise pickup. I did use approx. 1m length with a balanced starquad connection in another config, which was okay, but generally try to keep the phono cable as short as possible (30-50cm length).

 

[DVDdoug]

So don't chose a cable with a very low or very high capacitance.

Right! Back in the viny days I thought lower capacitance was better but there is an optimum, usually included in the cartridge specs. That includes the capacitance of the wiring in the tonearm/turntable, the interconnect, and the preamp input (all summed together). Frequently, at-least some of these are unknown...

It's also somewhat "counterintuitive" that higher capacitance (i.e. a longer cable) tends to increase the high frequencies. That's because the cartridge is inductive and you have a resonant circuit that resonates slightly-above the audio range, and higher capacitance brings the resonance down closer to the audio range.

 

[rdenney]

It depends on the cartridge. And the capacitance of the preamp input. And the capacitance of the tonearm wiring. They all have to add up to the value wanted by that cartridge to get the best frequency response.

Rick "whose AT440MLb prefers less capacitance than one usually finds" Denney