Best phono DIN/RCA cable

How much do you want to spend? There is "best" and there is "best for the money."

I also have a Purist Venustas, and can affirm everything Jfrech said. I just didn't know if you were prepared to spend $1800 (Venustas) or $3000+ (Purist Dominus.)

Another cable (which I haven't heard) that is I understand is comparable to the Hoveland 2 is the Cardas Golden Reference.

Planetfax -- for the money, Hovland and Cardas. I've heard XLO is a good buy, and read mixed reactions to the Graham in these forums, but but don't have personal experience with either.

They are all around $700 +/_ and are available used (if you're patient) and easy to sell if you want to upgrade. You can always sign up at usedcable.com if you want to compare a few different ones in your system. If you're not quite sure and you're going to be spending over $500, I think that is a good way to go IF they have what you want to try!

There are some pure silver phono IC's, but with a Shelter 90x combined with the silver internal wiring of the SME V, I think it best to avoid cables that might be on the bright side, IMO.

It's also considered good practice to use the same brand and type of IC from phono preamp to preamp as from tonearm to phono preamp.

ALL PAD cables are well made, but the three Ferox filled models are (sonically) the most desireable, due to the emi/rfi/shock resistance of the Ferox. From lowest to highest $$, they are: Museaus, Venustas, and Dominus, The Dominus model is still available in a fluid filled version, but I don't know what it's advantages are.