• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Petra Cable for phono interconnects

I bought 2 sets so I could do all 5 tables and did the first one today. I did the Luxman PD264 with the ADC XLM MKII Improved cartridge and it did make a difference in depth and punch. I'm PLEASED!

It wasn't hard at all although I had a headshell wire come loose from the soldered post and had to resolder that too. Just go slowly and have your close up glasses on.

Thanks for the post.

Ken
 
kermit z said:
I did the direct attachment, but I don't think going with female RCA outputs would be any harder. It is pretty much a straight forward install:thmbsp:
Click to expand...
Kermit, I'm curious about your cable replacement on the SL1400- do you happen to know if it is wired at all similar to your 1300mk2? I also have a 1300mk2 and I tried soldering a set of component cables that I bought locally and since they were too large to use the cable clamp like the originals, I was getting a feedback hum. The thickness of the cables was creating a "connection" between the 2 sections of the turntable(the sprung section and the unsprung section) and causing feedback, pretty bad at mid volume. Perhaps the 1400 is completely different?

Has anyone else here replaced cables on the 1300mk2, if so what did you use?

Thanks for any info.
 
stuckinthe70s said:
Kermit, I'm curious about your cable replacement on the SL1400- do you happen to know if it is wired at all similar to your 1300mk2? I also have a 1300mk2 and I tried soldering a set of component cables that I bought locally and since they were too large to use the cable clamp like the originals, I was getting a feedback hum. The thickness of the cables was creating a "connection" between the 2 sections of the turntable(the sprung section and the unsprung section) and causing feedback, pretty bad at mid volume. Perhaps the 1400 is completely different?

Has anyone else here replaced cables on the 1300mk2, if so what did you use?

Thanks for any info.
Click to expand...

I was planning on working on the MK2 next. But I will say the cables appear to be different from the 1400. The cable fit perfectly under the clamp on the 1400. But observing where the cable comes out on the back, the MK2 has a different setup. Hopefully someone who has done a recable of the MK2 series will chime in :)
 
Time for cable swap. From time to time I have right channel drop outs on my Sony PS-X65, it's been tracked down to the right RCA plug. I'm assuming I'll have to go in from under the table. Do you guys just set the table on it's dust cover?
 
Lastplace said:
I'm assuming I'll have to go in from under the table. Do you guys just set the table on it's dust cover?
Click to expand...

I did my Luxman yesterday with the dust cover on to keep the tonearm from getting damaged. I just taped the arm onto the rest and took the platter off, then turned it over and changed out the cables. I will doing it to several more tables today.

Ken
 
I'm going to try the Petras on all three of my TT's because they want $9.95 for shipping one cable. I noticed they also sell 6 foot cables. Two of my TT's have RCA output jacks, so I'm going to use the 6' cables without having to cut them. One of my tables is about 8 feet from the preamp. Presently, I have 1 meter cables going to the stand alone phono stage and 3 meter Audioquest Sidewinders from the phono pre to the preamp. The other TT has a 2m Sidewinder straight to the phono inputs on the preamp.

Does anyone know the capacitance of the Audioquests? Are the Petras really that much better? Should I use the Petras only from the TT to the phono stage and keep the AQ to the preamp?

This all started because the Marantz linear tracker I picked up recently had a butchered cable job. Somebody cut the RCA's off the end and added an extension cable without soldering. The extension cable was cheaper than the original cable. Anyway, I opened it up and will be replacing the cables with Petras.

Another issue with the Marantz TT530 is that I want to replace the P-mount cartridge with a Grado Black. I doubt that the Grado is as heavy as the existing ADC cart but there is no tracking force adjustment on the Marantz that I can tell. Does anybody know if this will be a problem with replacing the cart?
 
I could not find any capacitance specs on the AQ site but I'll look again. My dealer might know. I'll be seeing him soon if I order the Grado. I just ordered the Petras anyway.
 
classic carl said:
I could not find any capacitance specs on the AQ site but I'll look again. My dealer might know.
Click to expand...
The dealer? That's a laugh. I doubt if anyone at AQ knows. The more "upscale" the cable, the fewer specs they provide. Can't really blame them, though, because almost everyone buys them for line level where capacitance doesn't matter.

There's only one way to find out the capacitance and it will cost you about $15. Buy a capacitance tester. I've seen them on ebay for that price shipped. My bet is that they're about 50pf/foot, but whatever it is, it won't be as low as the Petras, and 2m will be too long. Yes, use them between the preamp and the amp.
 
Howard, do you mean that I should use the Petras in both connections? TT to phono stage and phono stage to the line level in on the preamp?

I'd be willing to bet that my dealer will measure the AQ's for me if I ask him.
 
classic carl said:
Howard, do you mean that I should use the Petras in both connections? TT to phono stage and phono stage to the line level in on the preamp?

I'd be willing to bet that my dealer will measure the AQ's for me if I ask him.
Click to expand...
Oh, sorry if I wasn't clear. You can use the Petras either or both, but the AQ should be only for the line level.

If your dealer has a capacitance tester I will eat my monitor pixel by pixel. :D
 
Thanks Howard. I don't think the 6' Petras will reach back to the preamp. I'll probably have to use the AQ there. Is a capacitance tester a separate gizmo or is it included in a mulitimeter. They do repairs and car installs there, so I'd assume they'd have some test equipment.

What do you think about the Grado Black P-mount to replace the original ADC cart on my linear tracker? The original question was a couple of postings back.
 
classic carl said:
Thanks Howard. I don't think the 6' Petras will reach back to the preamp. I'll probably have to use the AQ there. Is a capacitance tester a separate gizmo or is it included in a mulitimeter. They do repairs and car installs there, so I'd assume they'd have some test equipment.

What do you think about the Grado Black P-mount to replace the original ADC cart on my linear tracker? The original question was a couple of postings back.
Click to expand...
Well, if they actually repair circuit boards and replace individual components like capacitors then they may well have one. It's not a separate device; it has to be a multimeter that specifically includes a capacitance tester. Most aren't.

I really have little experience with Grados and none with the p-mounts. As with all Grados, there's the risk of hum, so make sure you can return it. My choice would be the AT-92ECD on ebay for $25 shipped. If for any reason that's not acceptable, then the Grado should be fine.
 
I actually ordered an AT92E for the Marantz, but my daughter, who was here for the holidays from Philly, brought her headshell with her because she needed a new stylus and it was the same cartridge. I gave her the stylus from the AT. In my search, a new AT92E cart was cheaper than just the stylus. Go figure. I might just order another one. The AT was much less expensive than the Grado and probably a better match for the P-mount arm. Thanks for all of your help.

By the way, I have a Grado Blue on my Dual 1249 and I have no hum issue.
 
Got my Petras this morning- had them installed on the Kenwood KD-2055 in an hour or so. I also got my record clamp from KAB. Tried that first on an Elvis Dynaflex LP- pretty good results.

Now for the cable review.

Holy Crap!!!!

:yes:

I used my usual demo LP, the Sundazed reissue of the first Monkees album. I heard small details I'd barely heard before. For example, the handclaps on "Tomorrow's Gonna Be Another Day" seem to literally jump out at you. My mono Sgt Pepper looks to be in G condition but now plays in VG. Much, much less surface noise (clamp, maybe?). Either way, this puppy sounds damn fiiiine right now! :thmbsp:

I used the other two cables for my Nakamichi CR-2A cassette deck and that was a huge difference as well- the tape sounded vinyl-like: expanded soundstage, incredible detail. I'll be ordering a couple more sets, for the tape ins and outs for the cassette and my Pioneer H-R100 8 track deck.

$9 seems to be severely undercharging for the quality. But shhh- don't tell anyone.
 
Mine are done! :banana:

The Dual 1246 is back from the dead and sounding better than ever. I ditched the original spade connectors as I couldn't find a decent replacement that would fit correctly. I ended up just soldering them on and totally jerry-rigging some strain relief (the meaty Petra's just didn't fit into the strain plate on the back of the Dual). Regardless, it sounds great. Thanks Howard!

Side note; I tore into my Dual 510 ready to repeat my success and found RCA jacks. I would've been very excited except I realized I'll now have to re-attach an RCA plug on the cut end of the Petras. Alternatively, I have a pair of regular ol' 6' stereo interconnects laying around (Acoustic Research basic blue). While I'm sure these would be better than the crap that Dual put on there it seems the argument for the Petras from the beginning has been the impedence factor. I don't know for sure but I tend to believe the AR cables wouldn't have the same capacitance qualities as the Petras.


So here's the options for the 510; AR interconnects, terminate the other end of the Petras, find another component video cable already terminated. Anyone wanna weigh in on this?
 
Glad I found this thread, looking to upgrade the cables in my "new" Technics SL-1400.:thmbsp:

Thanks.
 
Okay, another rant here.

My TT used to sound good only at higher volume. This morning I'm playing my mono Elvis "Loving You" and even at low levels- very low levels- it sounds good. I used to get a wee bit of distortion- not now. It sounds perfect, even at low levels.

Seriously, y'all need to get these cables. I'm ordering another set this weekend, for my tape decks.

These cables earned a rating of four dancing 'naners: :banana::banana::banana::banana:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom