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

[Mike]

Yes, eddy currents can be induced in non-magnetic metals IE: aluminium.

Ah OK, ta!

Do you reckon the teenie tiny currents in a tonearm cable could induce anything significant?

[YNWaN]

Any ideas as to what's going on?

Not really.

Eddy currents can certainly be generated in aluminium and this is primarily the rational given by those manufacturers who have gone over to plastic (acrylic) cases for their electronics (such as DNM). Whether eddy currents can be generated by the typical music signal passing along an interconnect is another matter.

Both WBT and Eichmann state the alloy they use (silver or copper alloy), but neither state the specific mix of metals in the alloy and possibly this makes a difference. Also, although Eichmann's solution to attaching the ground to the socket is much simpler than the collet of WBT, it does actually make a tighter connection and over a smaller contact area - perhaps that makes a difference.

[Mike]

Not that I'm aware of, dude. Try the Eichamnns, you may prefer them to WBTs

I've not tried either yet. I was just looking at the cable on my PU7 and thought "Hmmm.. those phono plugs look a bit cack" and was wondering which to try!

[Marco]

Hi Mark,

Eddy currents can certainly be generated in aluminium and this is primarily the rational given by those manufacturers who have gone over to plastic (acrylic) cases for their electronics (such as DNM). Whether eddy currents can be generated by the typical music signal passing along an interconnect is another matter.

I definitely think there's something in it. I've heard a similar effect, although to a greater extent (in that case relating to ferrous vs. non-ferrous metals), with otherwise identical (Mana) equipment supports, the only difference being that one was made from magnetic metals (angle iron), and the other non-magnetic stainless steel.

'Night & day' just about described the difference between both, sonically!!

Perhaps that's one of the reasons why the polymer-bodied Eichmanns, to my ears, sound better than the aluminium-bodied WBTs, even those where the internal construction is plastic? The outer shell is still alluminium, and therefore subject to eddy currents. But then, the aluminium-bodied Eichmanns also sound better, to my ears, than ANY of the WBTs....

Both WBT and Eichmann state the alloy they use (silver or copper alloy), but neither state the specific mix of metals in the alloy and possibly this makes a difference. Also, although Eichmann's solution to attaching the ground to the socket is much simpler than the collet of WBT, it does actually make a tighter connection and over a smaller contact area - perhaps that makes a difference.

I think the last bit is likely to be the most influential.

Marco.

[Stratmangler]

This has been discussed before I think I think Eichmann use plastic to minimise vibration getting into the RCA itself. I could of course be completely wrong.

You are completely wrong

[Wakefield Turntables]

You are completely wrong

So what's new

[Marco]

It's a hard life being a daftee (I know)

Marco.

[MCRU]

Interesting that there has been no mention of the solder anywhere? I think it must play some part towards the sonic signature of any connector?

Some customers must think so as I had a chap who insisted I use Oyaide solder when he ordered some cables last week.

[Mike]

Interesting that there has been no mention of the solder anywhere? I think it must play some part towards the sonic signature of any connector?

Good point. Probably!

[StanleyB]

Whilst solder is important for bonding it should not be the main surface to surface contact medium. That's why I prefer surface mount components on a PCB instead of legged components that are separated from the copper on a PCB by a solder joint.