Making a tonearm cable

[sloober]

I want to make new tonearm cables for my Mission TT. I have some great braided silver coax cable, and can easily find the RCA jacks, but the problem seems to be finding a DIN plug that is right angle. Does anyone have an idea where I can find one?
Thanks, John

 

[hakaplan]

Before you even get to the right angle aspect, make sure you know exactly what configuration you need. I assume it's 5 pins? There are several spacial orientations of the pins. Make sure you get the one you need. Try places like allelectronics.com, digi-key.com, markertek, mouser.com.

 

[sloober]

Connector

Yes it is a 5 pin connector. Darn there are several different types. Here is a photo of the connector. I may just leave it as is or cut it and make an adapter to RCA jacks mounted on the chassis. Then at least I can use higher quality cables from there.
John

 

[hakaplan]

Yes it is a 5 pin connector. Darn there are several different types. Here is a photo of the connector. I may just leave it as is or cut it and make an adapter to RCA jacks mounted on the chassis. Then at least I can use higher quality cables from there.
John

Well that's a common arrangement, sometimes known as 240 meaning that they're in a 240 degree arc. The other common arrangements are 180 and a full circle, so if they provide a picture you'll know right away if it's the right one. Is there a reason you need a right angle?

 

[kcc123]

I think many people make those 90 degrees right angle tonearm plugs, for example, Cardas, Van Den Hul, Clear Audio and SME. The 5 pin tonearm connector is not a standard din plug, as far as I know.

 

[sloober]

Plug photos

Right angle because there is not much depth to the turntable. The cable I have is right angle and there is about 3/4 inch clearance between the plug and whatever the TT is sitting on. Also the cable routes out an opening at the rear of the TT. Hope these photos show what I am talking about. I may just have to leave well enough alone. Just thought it would be nice to make some new cables.
John

 

[sloober]

Cardas has them, but are probably more than the TT is worth.

 

[hakaplan]

Contact these people:

http://www.cablestogo.com/product.asp?cat_id=402&sku=01690

These guys look to be even cheaper. Again this is not what you want, but they claim to have lots of DIN stuff including right angle:

https://www.americanconsumercables.com/cart/product/5410/33442/1/5-pin-din-connector-male.html

Tell them Male, 5-pin DIN, 240 degree spread, right angle.

 

[sloober]

Thanks Howard, I will give them a try.
John

 

[kcc123]

The 5 pin tonearm plugs have 60 degree spacing but only 30 degree spacing with the pins of the normal din plugs.

 

[hakaplan]

The 5 pin tonearm plugs have 60 degree spacing

Well, yes, 4 intervals or arcs of 60 degrees each, but the total spread from the 1st pin to the 5th is 240 degrees, and that is how supply houses describe them.