Phono cable insider tip: How to get the most out of your record player!
Sales figures for records have been rising for years now, and more and more music lovers are discovering the fascination of vinyl. But anyone who buys a record player is quickly confronted with a multitude of questions – one being: Which phono cable is the right one? In this article, we take beginners in particular by the hand and explain what’s really important with phono cables and what distinguishes them from “normal” NF cables. At the end of the blog post you can look forward to an exciting webinar – with physical background infos and professional know-how!
Renaissance of the record
Vinyl is celebrating an impressive comeback – with good reason: The warm, authentic sound of a record is simply incomparable. To really get each and every detail and emotion out of your beloved records, however, you need more than just a good turntable and pickup.
An often underestimated and yet crucial element is the phono cable – the link between your turntable and the phono preamplifier. But don't worry, even if you're just discovering the world of vinyl now, this article is for you as well! We explain what's important to you, without the technical jargon.
Why phono cables are so important (and what makes them so special)
1. Extremely low levels
Imagine you’re trying to understand something whispered in a loud room. Any noise, big or small, can distort or block out the message. Something similar also happens with the signal a phono cable transports. The signal your turntable generates is extremely weak and sensitive, comparable to a soft whisper in noisy surroundings.
2. Prone to faults
Compared to other audio cables, the levels here are extremely low – often in the millivolt range (MC ~ 0.0003 volts). To compare: A line signal has about 1,000 times more voltage, which makes phono cables incredibly susceptible to faults and losses. Any electromagnetic interference, from power supplies, cell phones or other electronic devices, can affect the sensitive signal and lead to audible faults.
3. Undistorted transmission
A high-quality phono cable minimizes these faults and ensures the delicate audio signal reaches your amplifier as undistorted as possible. Special shielding, high-quality materials and innovative concepts such as in-akustik’s AIR technology, provide the best possible protection for the signal. This preserves the full dynamic range and timbre of your records.
4. Detailed sound
It's as if you held a magnifying glass to your music – and suddenly you see details you’d never noticed before. A good phono cable enables you to perceive the finest nuances in the music, from the gentle decay of a guitar tone, to the subtle reverberation in a concert hall. You don't just hear the music, you literally immerse yourself in it and experience every emotional facet the performer has captured
The different connections: Phono cinch, XLR and SME
The right phono cable choice depends on the connections of your turntable, pickup arm and phono preamplifier. All high-quality phono cables, regardless of the connector type, generally have a ground line to prevent ground loops and to guarantee a clean earth connection. For a detailed overview:
Phono cinch
The phono cinch or RCA connection is the most common connector type for phono cables. It uses unbalanced signal routing, with the shielding also providing the ground, which makes it more prone to faults. A separate ground cable is always present, and is connected to the amplifier for earthing, to prevent humming. Cinch connectors are connected to the corresponding outputs on the turntable housing or to an external phono stage.
Phono XLR
High-end turntables and phono preamplifiers have balanced XLR connections, which are especially suitable for audiophile applications. Unlike cinch connections, the signal is not on the shielding – it is transmitted via two opposite-phase conductors (hot and cold), which reduces faults and electromagnetic interference. XLR connections consist of three pins: Pin 1 for ground, pin 2 for the hot signal (phase) and pin 3 for the cold signal.
Phono SME
SME connectors are used with many high-end record players, and are connected directly to the pickup arm, providing precise and low-distortion signal transmission. The connection is a 5-pin bayonet lock on the lower end of the pickup arm or in the pickup arm base. A special feature of the SME connector is that the ground line is already integrated into the connector, which contributes to an especially distortion-free connection.
The grounding cable: Why grounding is so important
A frequently overlooked detail with the record player setup is the grounding cable, also known as the earth cable. Anyone who has ever connected a record player will be familiar with the thin additional cable with a fork or ring connection. But why is it so important?
Why does a record player need a separate ground connection?
- As the phono signal is extremely weak, even the smallest voltage differences between the turntable and the amplifier can cause humming.
- The ground cable provides an equipotential bonding connection and prevents unwanted ground loops.
- Grounding is especially important with unbalanced cinch connections – balanced XLR connections are less susceptible due to their design, as the signal is not routed via the shielding.
How do you connect the grounding cable?
- Find the ground terminal on the turntable. It’s usually a small screw or clip next to the cinch connections. Ensure the connection is tight.
- Connect the grounding cable to the amplifier or phono stage. There is often a special ground terminal or screw here too. If not, the cable can be attached to a suitable metal part of the unit. Ensure all devices are switched off before you connect the cable.
- Testing and fine-tuning – after connection the system should be switched on and tested. If there is humming or interference, try loosening the ground connection slightly or testing an alternative grounding point. If faults continue it can help to connect the unit to another power circuit or to a separate grounding point.
What to pay attention to with phono cables
1. Low capacitance for clear sound
With MM pickups the cable’s capacitance can have a big influence on the sound. A too high capacitance combined with the pickup’s high inductance can cause treble losses, making the sound seem muffled. Phono cables with the lowest possible capacitance are therefore ideal. MC pickups are less sensitive in this respect, because their inductance is very low, however they are more prone to faults and cable resistance due to their low output level
2. Effective shielding against faults
Electromagnetic interference can impair the sensitive phono signal. High-quality shielding, such as multi-layer or braided shields, reduces humming and radio frequency interference. Unbalanced cinch cables are more susceptible to interference than balanced XLR connections, with which the signal is not routed via the shielding.
3. 3. High-quality materials for best possible signal transmission:
High-purity copper or silver minimizes resistance and enables low-loss signal transmission. More important than the material itself, however, is the metal’s processing and purity. Gold- or rhodium-plated contacts prevent corrosion and ensure a reliable connection with low contact resistances.
4. Clean processing for best possible sound:
A careful processing method ensures a long service life and a reliable connection. High-quality connectors, stable shielding connections and a solid construction are essential to minimize sound losses and faults.
Why AIR technology is especially predestined for phono cables:
Our AIR technology is as if made for phono cables. Thanks to the AIR Helix technology the conductor is held optimally in the air, which has almost no dielectric losses, meaning the signal is kept as undistorted as possible.
At the same time the effective shielding also ensures a distortion-free transmission of the audio signal. The result? A detailed, dynamic and authentic sound that reveals the full potential of your analog chain.
Webinar trailer: Phono cable – guardian of the most refined audio signals
It’s simply fascinating how the purely mechanical sampling of audio data with a record player can sound, provided the conditions are right and the sensitive audio signal is not distorted on its way. The sound’s quality not only depends on the turntable and the pickup here – the phono cable is also crucial. In this exclusive webinar you’ll learn all about the complex interaction between pickups and phono cables, and how they can significantly influence the sound quality. Simply see the trailer to get a little foretaste.
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