Could this be a 'giant-killing' tonearm cable?

[Marco]

"First impressions are quite superb, with the 223.5s having the beautifully wide-open infectious musicality and filigree detailing of the awesome 423.5 Phono Litz tonearm cable, currently in use on my Ortofon RS-212D tonearm, on the Techy. This cable deftly unlocks the densest of mixes and also lays bare the dynamics and realism of the finest recordings, thus making for a sonically beguiling cable partnership that doesn't break the bank."

and you were not getting all that with the MG cable then?

Not quite to the same degree, as Mark's aren't solid-silver cables, and so have a different, but equally valid, style of sonic presentation. The 223.5s do the 'solid-silver cable thing' superbly well, but ensure that the end result isn't too 'hi-fi' sounding. They're a really lovely, natural sounding (and very musical), listen!

However, I do still prefer the G2000HDs between my preamp and power amp, and between my DAC and preamp. It's simply a synergy thing

The aluminium bodied Eichmanns provide better shielding from interference, in my experience, than the polymer versions, when used in analogue (turntable) applications. I use the polymer-bodied ones elsewhere in my system, to excellent effect.

Marco.

[Marco]

Yannis is also sending me some of his 222-Connect Litz, to try, which is very similar in construction to the 223.5-Connect-Litz.

The difference is that the former uses larger, 22AWG conductors, and the assembly contains two hollow teflon air-tubes, twisted along with the Litz conductors (in order to add space with air dielectic and keep the capacitance low).

Details here: http://www.back-promo.co.uk/html/222connect-litz.html

It'll be interesting finding out if those can raise the bar even further.....!

Marco.

[YNWaN]

The aluminium bodied Eichmanns provide better shielding from interference, in my experience, than the polymer versions, when used in analogue (turntable) applications. I use the polymer-bodied ones elsewhere in my system, to excellent effect.

Marco.

I'm really not convinced they do provide better shielding Marco (and I have the aluminium bodies on my Eichmann plugs). Aluminium isn't great at shielding, they cover a very tiny part of the cable and they aren't connected to ground; they do look nice though .

[NRG]

I suppose there's a possibility of them making things worse depending on the type of cable grounding scheme employed...

[YNWaN]

Is there? I don't think there is much possibility of them making any real difference one way or the other.

[Wakefield Turntables]

I'm really not convinced they do provide better shielding Marco (and I have the aluminium bodies on my Eichmann plugs). Aluminium isn't great at shielding, they cover a very tiny part of the cable and they aren't connected to ground; they do look nice though .

Is there? I don't think there is much possibility of them making any real difference one way or the other.

Any evidence to back up these claims ?

[Marco]

Hi Mark,

I'm really not convinced they do provide better shielding Marco (and I have the aluminium bodies on my Eichmann plugs). Aluminium isn't great at shielding, they cover a very tiny part of the cable and they aren't connected to ground; they do look nice though...

Indeed (and you may be right), but I guess that ANY metal will provide better shielding than plastic, or in this case polymer, which I suppose is why Eichmann make two different types of bodies for their plugs, for use in different applications, with both still being non-magnetic

Marco.

[NRG]

Is there? I don't think there is much possibility of them making any real difference one way or the other.

Maybe not but if the configuration is using RCA connection for a 'balanced' input and the screen is taken to preamplifier earth via a flying lead then the body of the RCA plug could be connected to the negative wire of the cart. It could pick up hum or RFI if the field is strong enough. It may not be likely but it would be better practice to ensure the body is not conductive.




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[YNWaN]

Perhaps, but in the case of the Eichmann the return 'grip' element is plastic (other than an embedded metal 'finger') and therefore the cover (metal or plastic) does not contact any conducting elements.

Any evidence to back up these claims ?

Well Andrew, I'm not sure what sort of 'evidence' you expect; you are happy to believe that connectors and cables make a difference (I'm not saying I disagree with this), but there is no hard (scientific) evidence that they do.

I have tried a number of RCA connectors with metal bodies and the plastic bodied Eichmann's (also some with no body) and none of them had any impact on shielding that I could discern. However, the construction of the cable used clearly did.

Hi Mark,



Indeed (and you may be right), but I guess that ANY metal will provide better shielding than plastic, or in this case polymer, which I guess is why Eichmann make two different types of bodies for their plugs, for use in different applications, with both still being non-magnetic

Marco.

Perhaps, though inside the plug there is less than 10mm of cable unshielded (assuming the cable is shielded in the first place). Eichmann don't actually make any claims regarding shielding for the aluminium bodies. I've not come across any RCA plugs that have magnetic (ferrous) bodies; even cheap ones are made from aluminium alloy, plastic or brass.

[MCRU]

Perhaps, but in the case of the Eichmann the return 'grip' element is plastic (other than an embedded metal 'finger') and therefore the cover (metal or plastic) does not contact any conducting elements.

Its very hard to solder the ground / return wire so its clear when the metal body is screwed on and hard to put heatshrink round it as well, very fiddly indeed.