Do 5-pole DIN tonearm connectors deteriorate the sound?


I am in the process of completely rewiring my new Woody tonearm (https://vtaf.com/woody-tm-universaltm-tonearms.html#/), sitting on a custom-made Lenco-recreation by Peter Reinders (http://www.ptpaudio.com/solid9.html). My new cartridge for this set-up is the Audio Technica ART 1000.The signal goes from the TT into my Supratek Grange phono-stage/preamp via a custom-made phono cable that is foil-shielded and also carries the TT grounding wire. Currently I have issues with hiss and a deep background hum, indicating bad shielding of the tonearm wires and some grounding issues. So, I decided to completely re-wire the Woody and the phono cable. The latter is currently soldered directly to the tonearm wires (34 AWG copper). I also have a ProJect 10 Carbon TT with a BenzMicro LPS cartridge. This TT has an internal 5-point DIN connector linking the tonearm wires to the phono cable.

Here is my question: has - in the experience of this esteemed forum - the 5-pole DIN connection a noticeable effect on the sound? After all, we are talking about very low voltages here, so - at least in theory - a direct connection from the phono cartridge to the preamp would be ideal. However, because of the small wire gauge (34 AWG 6N silver by Zavfino), I would probably run into resistance and capacitance issues for a 3 feet run. I would rather put the DIN plug in place to have a clean transition between the TT-wires and the phono wire, but I am not sure if this would lead to a sonic compromise. Of course, I could just try both configurations and try to hear a difference, but first, I am interested in the science behind this question, and second, I don't really have the time for trial-and-error.

Your input will be highly appreciated.

128x128reimarc

Yes, the BMC is balanced.  So too are my Atma-sphere MP1 and my 3160 Phonolinepreamp.  In my Sound Lab system, everything is balanced, front to back. Nearly all current driven phono stages are balanced, but not all; the Sutherland Loco appears not to be balanced. (There are 3 Sutherland current driven stages; at least one of them offers RCA inputs only and is said not to be balanced.)  Since the most common way to do current drive (BMC excepted) seems to involve an op amp, and those can usually be driven in balanced mode, I have to wonder whether Sutherland drives what is really a balanced current to voltage gain stage in SE mode, in order not to scare away customers who are used to SE phono operation.