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Turntable RCA cable replacement

Thanks much for the testing and info! I ordered 2 sets of the 6'x3 video cables from MonoPrice after your review. While waiting I installed a run of the mill 6' audio interconnects I had on hand on 1 of my SL-23's just to get it up and running. It sounds fine with no hum, but I did notice just a bit of difference, can't quite pin point it tho. Maybe not as defined as you described with the MonoPrice audio cables due to the higher capacitance. Will install the MonoPrice video cables on the other SL-23 when they arrive and compare. Didn't want to cut up my 12' audio cable from them and test. They had a sale and all of the premium grade audio cables are gone. Guess the word got out! Will update my listening experience after they arrive, installed and listened to.
 
Update on the MonoPrice cable installation. Cut to length same as the ground wire and soldered to the board. Apprx. 5'. Installed my 1st Technics turntable with 440ML/OCC cartridge and gave it some listening. Didn't loose the highs but not as shrill and mids much more defined. Definetly an improvement over standard audio patch cables hard wired. Couldn't use the original Technics audio cable retaining collar due to the size of the interconnects so I used electrical tape to keep them secure to the mounting plate and prevent movement. Did the same with my 2nd SL-23 after testing with great results tho not happy with my new AT120 response over the older AT440. I didn't expect it to be, just added it to my arsenal. The 440ML on either table perform flawlessly with the same results using the new cables:music: Will try this out on my newly purchased Technics SL-1300MK2 when it arrives.
 
FWIW, I recently soldered a 12 foot length of cable to my TT. Even with the volume at max. I get no hum and a little white noise. I have no idea what the cable specs are, they are rubberized coated with gold plated jacks. I was hesitant to use 12 feet but due to my physical limitations I need 10 feet of cable. Worked out well.
 
i was forced to use a 12 footer as well.i suppose that's one of the nice things about my BSR TT. the RCAs were connected to internal female RCA jacks, which allows me to easily change the RCA gage and length at will.:music:

200BAX.jpg
 
I have an SL-1700MK2 from '79 with its original patch cords...the left channel is completely out (when switched to the right channel, then it's out, so I assume the patch cords gave up the ghost). The MonoPrice and Petra video cables mentioned here seem to be the cure for my woes!

Stupid question time...I assume these 3 and 5 groups of video cable jackets are all connected (glued; however they're attached). Obviously we only use two for stereo (to replace the original Technics patch cords). If I'm understanding all this, you're all recommending using the video cable portions of the 3 and 5 group sets? And you all just pull off the remaining cables not being used from the entire length? It would look rather stupid having all 3 or 5 cables dangling from behind/underneath the turntable chassis...

Do you guys have any photos of the new MonoPrice, Petra, or whatever cables y'all used available to post on this thread? I'd really have a much better understanding of what you're all using if I could actually see some pics of the new cables in place. I assume the original ground cable is left alone (unless your's were defective and replaced as well, but I don't recall reading anything about that).

Thanks in advance to any replies I receive...I'm totally at a loss when it comes to these projects, that's why I need some clarification so I don't totally screw things up when I replace mine!
 
I regularly use Wal-Mart video grade cables when looking for trouble spots. I'm sure they are not as good as the Petra's or the MonoPrice's, but they are right around the corner. They are lower capacitance than any audio grade patch cables, they are double shielded so they help with hum isolation. I do not generally cut into them as one of the shielding wraps is foil and that can't be soldered. For solder down I build from scratch using Anchor Brand sonar cable (which I have a partial roll).

I have found that most video grade cables will give you good clean sound up to about 10~12' without a phono-amp or step-up in the line. This is mostly true if you have a 5mv signal to start with. I'm pretty sure as the initial signal drops to the HOMC range, it gets much more difficult to push through any additional cable length, Petra or not. DJ carts will push through more than 12'.
 
The group of 3 or 5 are moulded together. You simply peel away the cable(s) you don't want. Yes, it's the video component cables you want to use for the turntable. Just choose the two you want to use and peel off all the others. On the Petras, the metal caps covering the plugs unscrews so you can swap them around to get the colors you want for the pair you're using. If you buy the group of 5 you can use the two audio cables for line level interconnects like CD, DVD, etc.

Yes, you can keep the existing ground wire on the Technics.
 
I noticed the MonoPrice 12Ft 3-RCA Component Video Cables are a little cheaper through there ebay store than there regular website.
 
I used the 6' 3 component video cables from MonoPrice and pealed away the green cable from the rest. That left me with red and blue to ID the right and left channels which I cut to 5' and soldered to the turntable audio circuit board. I did this with both sets for each turntable leaving me with 2 separate greens to use for later if need be. Reviewing the spec sheet on Audio Technica cartridges, the recommended load capacitance is between 100-200 pF. So using hakaplan's capacitance testing results on the MonoPrice cables @25 pF/ft my 5' cable nets 125 pF capacitance. I think I'm well within the range of the cartridge's requirements.

Hakaplan...is my reasoning correct? Correct me if I'm not. Might be something I forgot to consider.

Sorry I don't own a digital camera to provide pics. Wish I did to aid you all.
 
hakaplan said:
The group of 3 or 5 are moulded together. You simply peel away the cable(s) you don't want. Yes, it's the video component cables you want to use for the turntable. Just choose the two you want to use and peel off all the others. On the Petras, the metal caps covering the plugs unscrews so you can swap them around to get the colors you want for the pair you're using. If you buy the group of 5 you can use the two audio cables for line level interconnects like CD, DVD, etc.

Yes, you can keep the existing ground wire on the Technics.
Click to expand...
Thanks so much for the info.:thmbsp: Appreciate it (and John's pic).

Thank you, too, Eagle1.
 
Lady Ayeka said:
i was forced to use a 12 footer as well.i suppose that's one of the nice things about my BSR TT. the RCAs were connected to internal female RCA jacks, which allows me to easily change the RCA gage and length at will.:music:

Zerostat on Platter
Click to expand...

I was wondering how that zerostat sounds and how much tracking force it takes to keep the arm from jumping all over the place..:D
 
jt1stcav said:
I have an SL-1700MK2 from '79 with its original patch cords...the left channel is completely out (when switched to the right channel, then it's out, so I assume the patch cords gave up the ghost). The MonoPrice and Petra video cables mentioned here seem to be the cure for my woes!

Stupid question time...I assume these 3 and 5 groups of video cable jackets are all connected (glued; however they're attached). Obviously we only use two for stereo (to replace the original Technics patch cords). If I'm understanding all this, you're all recommending using the video cable portions of the 3 and 5 group sets? And you all just pull off the remaining cables not being used from the entire length? It would look rather stupid having all 3 or 5 cables dangling from behind/underneath the turntable chassis...

Do you guys have any photos of the new MonoPrice, Petra, or whatever cables y'all used available to post on this thread? I'd really have a much better understanding of what you're all using if I could actually see some pics of the new cables in place. I assume the original ground cable is left alone (unless your's were defective and replaced as well, but I don't recall reading anything about that).

Thanks in advance to any replies I receive...I'm totally at a loss when it comes to these projects, that's why I need some clarification so I don't totally screw things up when I replace mine!
Click to expand...

Here is a picture of the 12 foot cables I used from Monoprice on my TT. They are the ones with the red and white jacks. The thinner black and white jacked cables are the original. The originals are still soldered in at the time of this photo.

http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=83896&d=1206228211
 
I'm thinking I"d like to replace mine on my PL518 but am thinking of mounting some permanent jacks to the body.

Not sure whether to just use an angle bracket that hangs down underneath or drill holes in the plinth both at\on the rear

If I were to do either, what sort of wiring would ya'll recommend internally
 
Windwalker said:
I'm thinking I"d like to replace mine on my PL518 but am thinking of mounting some permanent jacks to the body.

Not sure whether to just use an angle bracket that hangs down underneath or drill holes in the plinth both at\on the rear

If I were to do either, what sort of wiring would ya'll recommend internally
Click to expand...

You could even do inline jacks. In any event I would use shielded coax. Cut off a piece of the same cable you're using for the ICs and use that. I tried using non-shielded cable inside and the result was HUMMMMMM.
 
hakaplan said:
You could even do inline jacks. In any event I would use shielded coax. Cut off a piece of the same cable you're using for the ICs and use that. I tried using non-shielded cable inside and the result was HUMMMMMM.
Click to expand...

I agree. Using the same 2 models of turntables I had hum from one and not the other. Thought it might be the difference in cartridges. With both turntables now using the shielded cables all of the way through I experience no hum no matter what cartridge I use on either TT's. I used to think that it was just part of the whole phono aspect of listening and considered it normal. Not anymore. In fact if you check out any reputable turntable repairer they replace and upgrade the cables as part of the restoration process.
 
Just got the Parts Express sale flyer. They're selling some 6 ft component video cables as a three set for $1.88 each. I'm ordering a few sets for my stock.

Part number 189-714
 
BrocLuno said:
Just got the Parts Express sale flyer. They're selling some 6 ft component video cables as a three set for $1.88 each. I'm ordering a few sets for my stock.

Part number 189-714
Click to expand...

Saw them also and said !**! They're nickle platted not gold I believe and don't know if shielded or not. They appear to be smaller gauge wire than the Mono and Petra's which would allow the usage of the turntable's cable retainer in the backing plate. Would be curious of the capcitance rating? Give us an update when they arrive!
 
Rat Shack, locally at least, is having a clearance on several cables I noticed the other night.
Seems like they had a component video 8 footer for around 9 bucks(org 49)-yea I know it's more than monoprice-slightly by the time you figure shipping
Also had an 4 footer, with techsleeve for 19.99
The above two are monster brand-for what that's worth-heck by the 8 footers, cut in half and do two TTs, with built in ground

they also had a 3 foot "gold series" 2 lead interconnect for 3.99.
This series is pretty good at that price. I snagged a couple

Looking on-line seems they may be clearing out gold series for nxg

Might want to keep an eye open if you're in there, additional mark downs may happen
 
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