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Phono cable advice.

What are some good phono cable options for around $150ish and under? So far I’m looking at BJ LC-1 and Zu Audio Mission cables. This would be for between my Pro-Ject Debut Carbon DC Esprit and most likely (still looking) a MoFi StudioPhono preamp. I have an extra pair of Kimber Silver Streak cables but they don’t look insulated well enough. I’ll be running DH Labs Air Matrix from my preamp to KEF LS50 Wireless speakers. I’d like something I can grow out a little with as I incrementally upgrade things. Stylus (Blue 2M?) is probably next.

Thanks for any input.
asahitoro

Showing 4 responses by tyray

tyray
760 posts
 
Hi,
Does anyone here have any experience with clear day cable interconnects used as phono interconnects? They are purposely made unshielded and I have an opportunity to purchase a pair with ETI Silver Bullet rca jacks. I have never seen a bad review on them even though they use proprietary solid silver wire and are unshielded.

Also, can anyone here compare/describe the quality of cable and sound of the Delund interconnects and the Amadi Maddie Signature Interconnects?

@ asahitoro, thanks for the post. I appreciate it as I’m getting ready to spend some hard earned money on 2 pair of interconnects. 1 pair from the turntable to the tube phono preamp and 1 pair from the tube phono preamp to the auxiliary jacks.  And please, only comment if you have experience with the cables/interconnects mentioned above as ALL silver cables/interconnects are not alike, as some people like to say...


tyray
760 posts
 

@three_easy_payments, you’ve answered your own question and it’s that dreaded ’disease’ we audiophiles get called ’upgrade-itis’ and it looks as if you’re starting to get symptoms of it. But don’t worry cause it’s actually kinda fun.☺

@soudermn, I couldn’t agree more...IMHO




tyray
760 posts
 

@asahitoro, and you other good folk here, I ended up buying 2 pair of Amadi Maddi Signature .75 meter interconnects made by Philip Amadi with KLE Innovations Copper Harmony RCA plugs.

And they sound amazing right out of the box even without full burn in. It will take me about 2 months to burn them in as I don’t have a cable burner and I will write a separate review then.

@asahitoro, if I’d have known you were looking for a ’giant killer’ phono preamp I would’ve recommended a Parks Audio Puffin at $399 from Shannon Parks. Thanks guys for all your suggestions.

tyray
760 posts
 
Yeah, the Lounge Audio LCR MK(???) was my first choice and I think that is where I first read the term ’giant killer’ for phono preamps. It is an outstanding preamp for the money and class A too. And as I did more research and found out about the Budgie, I bought one.

I later ’rolled’ in 2 matched NOS Telefunken E88CC/6922’s vacuum tubes and was amazed at the transparency, depth, wide soundstage and dynamic range with an added 3 Dimensional sound quality I had never heard before from my receiver’s phono jacks.

I took a chance and bought a used Shure V15VxMR MM cartridge for $150 bucks as they normally go for $500 and installed a JICO SAS VN5xMR stylus and have been using this set up for awhile now.

Just over a month ago I bought 2 pair of 8' Clear Day Cable double shotgun speaker wire for $300 and the sound improvement was immediate. I guess my choices makes me a ’budget audiophile’ too! ☺
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