External tonearm cable

[Simon]

Hello.

I have a Manticore Mantra refurbished in all respects except that the external arm cable looks a bit brittle and I'd prefer to put on a new one.

Any suggestions for the above? Nothing exotic required. To go on a Linn Basik LVX, right angled DIN. Not too thick as the t/t has Linn style P-clips.

Thanks.

[Mike g]

What about a linn t cable?

[Simon]

Any idea where I could look for one?

Thanks.

[DSJR]

The T Cable works really well on Linn arms (I did try one with an LVX on an Axis to very good effect) but Linn don't arf want their pound of flesh for it IMO and even used ones sell for well over £100 I've seen.

The Audio Origami cable is also excellent and well put together for £99 or so. if you can solder your own, I'd suggest a Cardas Mini-DIN (difficult to work with 90 degree entry), two lengths of Van Damme pro patch mic cable (inner comductors to the Cardas socket and connect the outer screen to the signal returns at the phono plugs) and a pair of neutrik/Rean or similar phono plugs. The parts are less than £20...

[Simon]

Thanks Dave. The Linn T might be overkill - I only paid £200 for the mint t/t with LVX arm and K9.

I'm not skilled at DIY from parts either so the search goes on I'm afraid.

[DSJR]

Then please seriously consider the neat and fully made up one from Johnnie7 at Audio Origami. i bought mine used on fleabay for £45 (it had been used with an SME IV apparently) and it's done stirling service with the R200 on the TD125. I can't sell it on, as I'm planning on using this arm again at some point..

[Wakefield Turntables]

You could always try making your own upto the spec that you want?

[Pete]

I use a phono cable from GroverHuffman.com, actually his speaker cables and ICs throughout my system. His latest SX line is very well regarded, and really gets in to the top tier, IMHO.

Super performance for normal money! And if you don't like it return for a refund.

Cheers
Pete

[Simon]

Thanks very much indeed to all - usual excellent advice, I'm going to check out the Audio Origami and the other one for sure as well as probe to see if I can get someone to make me up a silver one for sensible dosh. I'll report back on findings.

[nat8808]

Or the original Linn ones are normally about £20 on ebay.

Are you sure it's brittle?

Does it sound bad, is it just cosmetically bad or are you looking to upgrade?

[Simon]

Hi,
Paranoia? If it ain't broke why fix it? Could well be. The deck's a mid-90's, I believe, Manticore Mantra with original lead, stiff with filthy plugs when it arrived. As I'm taking off the hardboard base anyway, I was wondering aloud whether I'd be well served to swap it out for another one. It doesn't sound bad - but then I wouldn't know until I heard something that sounded better, the audiophile vicious circle. I know of people who replace the phono lead with a continuous loom from plugs to cartridge but an easy peace of mind/upgrade solution would suit me better. Failing that, I'll soldier on as I am.

[nat8808]

Personally then, I'd say it will be fine as is to get it working and use everyday - if there were any problems with it it simply wouldn't work rather than degrading the sound.

You could make sure the connections are clean with a bit of contact cleaner - unplug the cable from everything, spray a little into the female part of the plug and plug in and unplug a few times to get the surfaces rubbing and cleaning themselves. Gold plated plugs are used in audio simply because gold is 'self-cleaning' in that impurities and oxidisation pretty much rubs off. Copper oxidises, goes green and brittle and falls apart if not plated with something inert or sealed from the elements. De-OxIT is a brand of contact cleaner audiophiles talk of or there are everyday brands available at Maplin or other similar local store.

Basically, unless the cable is cracked, the copper inside won't deteriorate as it will be sealed away from air and moisture. I only ever see that on 60's, some 70's cables where the PVC jacket cracks and let's in moisture but 80's 90's use plastics that don't crumble and split with age.

You might hear a difference if you do upgrade to something better so in that sense - go for it!