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XLR vs. Phono Cables

I am in the process of purchasing a new phono preamp -- the reason being is that my turntable is a distance from my preamp and I need a slight boost of signal. The wires must travel about 12 feet from my turnatble behind a television set to my preamp. This is probably not ideal, but I really don't have a choice.

Earlier I posted recommendations for phono preamps in the $500 to $1,500 price range. I received some very nice feedback. Some of the phono preamps have XLR support, while others only support standard phono cables.

Would I be better off buying a phono preamp with XLR outputs, or will standard phono cables be ok for my purpose?

Thank you.
-Greg
fremonthills
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,380 posts
 
As I said in my post above..if your preamp/line stage is better at XLR then the preferred termination would be blanced...if and only if you're terminus/arm is balanced. If you have RCA's at the end of your turntable, use RCA's into the preamp. Wonderful results can be accomplished using either RCA or XLR. I would not use any adapters to change XLR to RCA or reverse. I tried that and could certainly hear any and all adapters...even the hundred dollar variety.
albertporter's avatar
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albertporter
4,949 posts
 
Perhaps I didn't make this clear, but the phono preamp will be placed right next to the turntable. The long cable will connect the phono preamp to the actual preamp. I believe this is the recommended way to do it.

OK, now you have no problems other than deciding on cable. Stringreen has accurately answered the second half of your question. Time for you to enjoy some music.
fremonthills OP
15 posts
 
The preamp that I will be using is a McIntosh C2200 with both XLR and RCA inputs. Everything that is connected to it has XLR, so I am motivated to pick up a phono preamp with XLR outputs. There are three that look good:

PS Audio GCPH ($1000)
Aqvox 2CI MKII ($1400)
Simaudio Moon LP5.3 ($1400)

All of these have been very well reviewed.

-Greg
juanpablocuervo
19 posts
 
depens on the quality of the cables you use.
usually XLR should be better,
but if the XLR cable has low propagation velocity and high capacitance, or bad shielding
vs.
a rca with the opocite, high V.P. and low capacitance ,and copper shielding

the rca will win.
its all relative
kijanki's avatar
kijanki
4,410 posts
 
Propagation velocity is not important with analog cables.
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