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Phono Cable optimal vs max length?

I have a cartridge what is termed as a high out put cartridge. Due to the size of my TT, it has to be away (in one of the optimal, from available space point view, set up I am considering) from phono pre and preamp.

I have always 'heard and read' optimum length of a phono cable to be 1.2 m. Hace looked in to archives and encountered few satisfied customers with longer phono cable- 3 to 4m.

Have you experienced any signal quality degradation going from 1.2 m to say 2 to 4 m length? What area in performance degradation one can expect? Any positive or negative experiences would help me decide to order that long phono cable or not.

TIA.

Nil
nilthepill

Showing 1 response by albertporter

albertporter's avatar
albertporter
4,949 posts
 
Depends on the capacitance and resistance of the cable used, output voltage of the cartridge and design of the phono preamp.

I've used runs as long as two and a half meters with no issues. These result obtained with low to medium output Koetsu and Air Tight cartridges and Aesthetix tube phono stage.

Look for cables with specifications that show VERY low loss and your off on the right foot. If the run is expected to be exceptionally long (more than 2.5 meter) I would get a trial cable and do a performance test before investing big money.
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