Tonearm cable

Cemil Gandur -- Thu, 02/12/2009 - 07:51

The tonearm cable supplied with the SME V seems to be sourced by VdH and seems to be consistently reviled on the various internet sites.
Any suggestions on a very good replacement which would have XLR plugs at the phono end?

John (not verified) -- Thu, 02/12/2009 - 19:58

I've owned several cables on my SME IV.Vi arm .
1) vDH cable (unsure on model)
2) Graham IC 50
3) Hovland Music Groove
4) Purist Audio Designs Venastus
5) Purist Audio Designs Proteus Provectus (currently in use)

The Purist models are by far the best I've heard. I have used both with either a BAT VKP10SE or a Nagra VPS. My Venastus was a DIN to XLR version and that helps with the BAT phono stages. The Purist cables have a incredible black background, non existent RFI issues, detail, warmth, etc etc. The Proteus Provectus does sigificantly improve clarity/resolution over a stellar Venastas cable...

Cemil Gandur -- Sat, 02/14/2009 - 02:18

Thanks for the recommendation. The PAD cable names are quite a mouthful!
Is there a difference between an interconnect used for tonearms and a normal one? or can you just grab your favorite interconnect and change the plugs?

John -- Sat, 02/14/2009 - 07:04

Purist does something different and has "special" phono versions of their interconnect. I don't know the difference for sure, I suspect the shielding and ground maybe different. Not all brands are this way.
How can I contact you off line? have a few questions on your SME arm...Thanks

Cemil Gandur -- Sat, 02/14/2009 - 11:22

Hi John,
Arm not yet arrived - dealer says mid-March. It's the V-12 to go on a 20/12.
Drop me a mail at zebdiane [at] hotmail [dot] com