2. analog
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Phono cable/grounding/loading questions

Hi, I am finally settling with my analog set up which I run in balanced(RCA @ TT end with ground wire and balanced at phono pre-amp, balanced from phono to preamp..)configuration. I do have some questions that I need answered to convince me what is right. I have looked in to archives but have not found clear cut answers. So here goes:

1. Is the purpose fully designed phono cable always better than the regular ics used as phono cables?
2. If there is no hum present without ground wire connected at TT end, technically is it correct to do so? (When I connect the gorund wire, the presentation a little more articulate but on brighter side)
3. Could I use phono cable with RCA/RCA and use RCA/balanced adapter at phono preamp end? Would I be getting full benefit of balanced configuration this way?
4. My helikon cartridge loading with all new burn-in cables sits at 40 ohms currently and there is still peak (4-5 db) at 10 K hz. Rest of the spectrum very good but this peak is annoying at times. Why is this happening?
5. Bi-wire question: Is it okay to use biwire speaker cables with Jumpers or is it defeating the purpose? More importantly is this dangerous?

Sorry to load you with too many questions but I wanted have only one thread to put my mind to rest.

Thanks in advance!!
nilthepill

Showing 2 responses by larryi

larryi
3,756 posts
 
As with anything having to do with audio, there are no hard and fast rules. I think you just have to continue to do what you have been doing, which is to experiment. I had a Helikon, but, at that time, I also had a phono stage with a fixed 125 ohm loading. It seemed to work well with this phono stage.

With my current Titan, I actually run it almost wide open (47k ohms). This gives me a very extended top end and a better sense of hall sounds. I tame some of the top end sibilance by setting VTA very slightly low (tail of the cartridge pointing down). I find Lyra cartridges to be quite sensitive to VTA changes. It is surprising what even 1/2mm of height at the pivot makes.
larryi
3,756 posts
 
The Titan has more weight in the lower bass and is not quite so edgy sounding as the Helikon. It sounds more relaxed, but it certainly is not lacking in detail or dynamic ability. I prefer the meatier sound of the Titan, but I think the Helikon is no slouch.

But, when I changed the cartridge, I also changed tonearm to the Vector. According to Lyra, the Titan's titanium alloy body transmits a lot of vibrational energy from the cartridge to the tonearm, putting a lot of demand on the tonearm to effectively dampen and/or bleed off such energy instead of reflecting it back to the cartridge. The Vector is very good in this regard. I don't know how the Titan would compare with the Helikon in my original arm (Graham 1.5t). I heard the Titan in a newer Graham 2.2 arm and that combination also worked very well.

So much is system dependant, but I should mention that a friend is trying a Transfiguration Orpheus in place of a Helikon. The Orpheus sounds great in his setup (Graham 1.5t on a Mk IV VPI). The Orpheus has the same extended, smooth and airy top end of the Helikon, but substantially more weight in the bass (his horn-based system is lacking in very deep extension so this additional weight is synergistic. This cartridge is lively and dynamic without being edgy or harsh sounding. I will get a chance to hear the Orpheus in my system once I work into my system a new linestage and phonostage (Emotive Audio Epifania linestage, Viva Fono replacing the Levinson Ref. 32 preamp).
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