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RCA (phono) cables for on-site termination

Hi. I'm going to be going into my very tight crawlspace in a week to run some speaker wire. I don't want to go down there twice so I will also be wiring what will eventually carry a signal from my phono (in the living room) to my preamp (in my office).

My house is 85 years old, mostly original, and we've tried very hard to be faithful to the architect all these years (it's cool if you think that's ridiculous). 

What that means is that I need to drill the smallest holes possible and therefore I will need to terminate the cable ends by myself . What I don't know is what kind of cable to use and what brand of terminals I should buy.

I'm handy with a soldering iron, I own a dozen crimpers, and I can buy another pair if necessary-- but I don't want to waste money on world-class cabling (my ears aren't that good). I just want decent wire (maybe even coax, whatever, someone here is way smarter than I am) and decent RCA terminals. Can you help?
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8 responses Add your response
elliottbnewcombjr
5,363 posts
 
NO! Think separate TT for the Office.

If space is an issue, as it is for me, think small, or vertical:

These compact Technics can fit on top of a bookcase, this particular model is quartz locked Direct Drive, and Programmable (so are others). (get the separate ground wire, or you can buy one on ebay for $10).

https://www.ebay.com/itm/373596285167?hash=item56fc12e8ef:g:CdUAAOSwhMtgsceA

This Vertical TT stands on a narrow shelf or bookcase, 8" minimum

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649728427-mitsubishi-lt-5v/

New Vertical TT's exist

btw, my latest trick in my crawl space was to staple simple trash bag ties to the bottom of the vertical side (not the bottom) of joists (then simply twist as you go. Wire hooks for tree decorations work too. 
oldhvymec
5,101 posts
 
OP you'll need to watch that length. That is a good piece of advise. It can pick up noise pretty easy without shielding and shielding can really dummy down the SQ if your not careful.. Something to think about..

Your a ridge runner, now to get the most for your money, without losing SQ.  The burden of good common sense. Rare these days. :-)

For reference OP 36" is a push with a MC Low Output cart..  Add a SUT and an external phono preamp..  Be careful, we are trying to stay out of trouble, NOT get out of it.  Some weird anomalies in "them thar Hills" Serious antenna in  more than a few spots.. ALL considerations.

Regards
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p_s OP
22 posts
 
Last I appreciate the thoroughness of your answer-- those of us who grew up in Appalachia learned that we could make a "continuity tester" with a flashlight bulb, a 9v battery, and a few alligator clips.  
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p_s OP
22 posts
 
(and thanks for the cable rec if I go that route)
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p_s OP
22 posts
 
Thanks, good advice to put the preamp by the phono rather than the amp.

The grommet and dowel is good advice too.

The run is only eight feet as the crow flies but it has to go down and up so fifteen feet or so, all in..
auxinput
2,920 posts
 
Without getting too expensive, probably the best "bulk" cable you can get is the Mogami W2549. Obviously, you have to get one for "left" and one for "right".

https://www.performanceaudio.com/mogami-w2549-black-long-run-mic-cable-by-the-foot.html

There is another cable option - the Mogami W2534. It’s a quad-conductor cable, so you can do left/right channels in one cable and save drilling extra holes. It’s not as good as the above and uses smaller conductors. You would have to have a continuity tester to make sure you solder the correct conductors onto an RCA plug. There are two blue and two clear conductors internally.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/GoldMic--mogami-w2534-bulk-microphone-wire-priced-per-foot

for RCA plugs, I think the best value for the money are the Cardas SRCA Signature. They are made from copper alloy and plated with rhodium over silver. It’s like a poor man’s version of a Furutech Rhodium connector.

http://www.soniccraft.com/product_info.php/cardas-srca-signature-series-rca-p-1474

Soldering is always best for terminating RCA cables. Hope this helps.
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,417 posts
 
1. What’s the length?
2. Are you running cable from the turntable or from the phonostage to the preamp?

Don't run a long cable from the table.

oldhvymec
5,101 posts
 
I’d suggest using grommets in leu of just a holes. The hole is just a tiny bit larger and a split rubber grommet will let you BUY a much better phono cable. Remove the grommet, use a wooden dowel of like material and a permanent marker to give it a look.. Easy peasy to make the hole go away again....

Regards
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