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

[Wakefield Turntables]

Nice review, still waiting for mine.

[Marco]

Churz, dude. T'was just a few scribbles... The delay on yours will be because Yannis is waiting for the 'fancy bits' to arrive

I'm surprised that you didn't go for the Furutech DIN, with the carbon-fibre shell insert. The reason I went for it, is because the IEC plugs on my power leads adopt the same principle, and I know how effective it is at controlling resonance - you can clearly hear the sonic benefits!

I would've gone for the matching RCAs, too, but for some reason the contact pins/conductors are only made from copper, not solid silver, which is why I chose the Eichmanns instead at that end

Marco.

[YNWaN]

I'm surprised that you didn't go for the Furutech DIN, with the carbon-fibre shell insert. The reason I went for it, is because the IEC plugs on my power leads adopt the same principle, and I know how effective it is at controlling resonance - you can clearly hear the sonic benefits!

To be honest, I struggle with this. I have worked quite a lot with CF and it has a high stiffness to mass ratio - but it isn't inherently better at dealing with resonances than other materials (so much depends on the frequency and amplitude of the resonance one is seeking to modulate) - it is well damped, but so are other materials. In addition, I can't help but wonder how much mechanical resonance exists in a plug, or how standard plug bodies are inadequate in this regard. Note, I am not in any way denying that CF has useful qualities (I use it myself), but in this case I can't help but feel that it's purpose is to bring a bit of 'hi-tech bling' rather than any actual mechanical benefits (it does look pretty though). A plug is already pretty stiff and low mass and if I really wanted to stiffen it further I wouldn't add an insert of CF. I'm not saying this plugs don't sound better (perhaps they do), but I think this is more likely to be because of the metals used to conduct the signal, the plating used and the mechanical fit of the conducting pasts - not because they have a small tube of CF inserted into the outer shell (which adds little to the stiffness or damping of the actual conducting elements and is really no more than just a decorative shroud.

[Marco]

Sure, Mark.

Rest assured, however, I haven't chosen that DIN plug because it looks 'sexy' or because of any "hi-tech bling" (people should know by now I don't work that way), but simply as a result of my extensive experience of using Furutech's IEC plugs, with the same construction.

When I tested those against numerous other types of IECs, they came out on top - and by some margin. I'm therefore hopeful that the DIN plugs will be just as good, and I'll be able to test for this, with Jannis sending me the same tonearm cable, but fitted with different plugs.

Therefore if the Furutech-equipped cable sounds better, and the DIN plug is the only variable, then it should be safe to assume that it is the cause of any sonic superiority. Anyway, all will be revealed in due course!

Marco.

[YNWaN]

Yes, but even if you do decide it sounds better, I doubt the CF insert in the cover has anything to do with it . Cardas do nice DIN arm plugs.

Aren't you also changing the RCA plugs at the same time? If that is the case, how do you know that any benefits aren't down to the RCA's. I've recently auditioned a number of RCA's (on the same cables) and they certainly make a difference (I personally like the Eichmann's - despite their lack of CF cladding).

[Marco]

Yes, but even if you do decide it sounds better, I doubt the CF insert in the cover has anything to do with it...

Lol... Well, my view in that instance would be 'who cares'? If it's better, it's better!

When I recently compared Furutech's range of IEC plugs (on the same mains lead, used in the same system), before settling on the carbon-fibre shell ones, the latter were notably better - and the shell type was the ONLY variable, so go figure

The best sounding IEC plug (by a country mile, in my system):





Will this little chap be just as good on my new tonearm cable:





Let's wait and see!

Marco.

[YNWaN]

By a country mile...

Umm....OK

[Marco]

Well, in terms of overall clarity, definition and detail retrieval, yes!

I'll bring both identical tonearm cables round, if you want, when they're ready, one fitted with a 'normal' DIN plug, and one fitted with the Furutech (both will have silver Eichmann RCAs), and you can judge the results for yourself on your turntable, in your system, provided you're open-minded enough to listen without prejudice!

Marco.

[Darren]

It's just a fact that you can't beat a bit of Greek action...

[Marco]

Just noticed your edit, daftee...

Aren't you also changing the RCA plugs at the same time? If that is the case, how do you know that any benefits aren't down to the RCA's.

Read my previous reply, Mark. The ONLY cable component variable in the test I'm offering will be the DIN plug. Are you up for a listen?

Marco.