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Turntable Placement Between Speakers with Short Interconnect?

I am considering purchasing a VPI Prime 21 Plus turntable, but I am uncertain where it will live. I have only two options: On a solid heavy wood stand between my 803 D2 B&W speakers along with my Gryphon Diablo 300 amp, with a 2 ft interconnect, or 3 ft to the right of my right speaker, with a 8ft interconnect.

I hear that it is bad to place turntables between the speakers, but I also hear that long interconnects are bad. Are either of my options acceptable? Of note, my Gryphon amp has a phono module installed in it.

I do have the option to install a wall stand for the turntable in either location, but obviously it would then place the turntable against the wall behind my speakers…. which may be bad? Looking for any advice!

I should also say I only listen at moderate volumes.

nyev

Showing 2 responses by elliottbnewcombjr

elliottbnewcombjr
5,790 posts
 

You are overthinking it, anticipating rather than actually having a problem.

And here’s the kicker: what if the phono module you choose doesn’t sound great? They make a much larger audible difference than phono cable length.

I have 3 different length phono cables, to a SUT with it’s factory attached phono cable.

the longest 8lf din/rca one for my far left tonearm custom made for me by Pine Tree.

https://pinetreeaudio.com/

 

discuss your needs, pick your length and connectors, they will make it very promptly.

main arm, 1m ortofon, oh boy

 

 

 

the 3rd phono cable came with my Acos Lustre GST-801 tonearm, possible OEM or seller got it.

Despite all the BS about ’keep phono cables short’, I nor anyone else can hear the difference between any of them when I move them hither and thither.

I relocated my SUT, could shorten the 8lf one, I’m not gonna bother.

IF you go into a SUT (with PASS for MM), to a Phono Stage, then to a Preamp, then to an Amp you have 4 lengths of cables involved. It’s the phono stage that is going to determine the sound, not the cable length of any or all of them.

One of the reasons I do not like ports in speakers is so that I can put equipment between the speakers with no side or rear radiation.

have a peek at my turntable between my speakers

 

the isolation feet below my TT Plinth is to tame my springy wood floor’s flex, not any sound waves in that location, just enough to get 2 steps away after needle drop..

elliottbnewcombjr
5,790 posts
 

Equipment in the middle effecting imaging? That’s really a visual issue to overcome.

It’s essentially ALL in your head, there are no sound waves in the middle.

Close your eyes, get the image of stuff in the middle out, there you have it.

Have a look at my last photo with the little christmas tree right in the middle. It’s not blocking any sound waves, it’s up to me to ignore what I see and go with what my brain puts together from any mix of l/r in/out of phase, timing tricks .... anything any engineer can come up with using zero center sound waves!

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