Originally Posted by
Barry
Flexibility of the tonearm lead is essential for a sprung suspension TT.
Most logically in theory, as it is for most or in most cases. Only during my tweaks, I decided to get rid of my original and a bit trashy looking by then SME3009 cable and discover else.
While my soldering friend was there after finishing the re-cabling on my tonearm, all I had under the hand were 2 "quality" audio cables (not high end) still packed I was given "free".
One was rather of the flexible kind and the other one rather rigid. Since I've never tested either, I couldn't decide accordingly and went with my gut feeling there; the more rigid and lighter one !
Cut off the male RCA's at one end and solder the SME 4 pin connectors to it. With enough room in my then newly "tailor made" solid wood plinth, I "locked" it in place with a cable mount.
This finally eliminated all external stress on the cable (t'was a problem before) and with a big/long enough necessary loop (due to rigidity) it allows the inner suspension bounce to work rather freely.
Instantly loved it much better than my original SME cable. I know the old corroded RCA's... Still. After that I used the flexible cable to connect my preamp to my amp with and got use to it for a while.
At one stage I decided to purchase a similar cable of the same build and specs to the one I used for my tonearm to replace the flexible one and... Loved it much better. Better "focus", 'tighter" and "denser".
It matches my ear and gear much better IMO. Where I am certain, it can be the other way around on other phono chain set-up. I know; cables are just cables... No one listens to cables... But me
My point being to have lighter "rigid" cable length between both attached points in the plinth will give less tension on the suspension than any flexible cable hanging between similar attached points if ever.
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