Why Are Phono Cables Different?


I have now read from several different cable manufacturers that phono cables have different requirements than line level interconnects. What surprised me is that in the cases I know about the phono cable is always cheaper than the line level interconnect.

For example, Stealth's Indra retails at $5750 but their phono cable is "only" $2800. I would have thought that the phono cable because of the small signal to preserve would require more care and thus more cost.

Can anyone tell me what special characteristics a phono cable should have compared to a line level interconnect? (This would also probably tell us why the phono cable is cheaper.)

Thanks.
George
george_a

Showing 3 responses by narrod

Dopogue, you're kidding right? The average phono cable has left and right running in the same sheath. The average line interconnect is two physically separate cables. What's not to understand?
Stew3859, a standard phono cable is terminated with a DIN plug at one end and two RCA plugs (with or without a ground wire) at the other end. All runs in the same sheath. That's why it is normally cheaper than a pair of interconnects from the same brand and model or cable. Less wire and fewer connectors.
Remember, a phono cable is, normally, a single cable. Line interconnects are always a pair.