Is there a length limit for Turntable cables?


I need to move my turntable to a more vibration-free location; or isolate it better from floor vibrations. Currently, my MMF5 works well near my preamp. However, I like the sound of my garage-sale-bargin Thorens TD160 much better and want to replace the MMF5. But if placed where the MMF5 is the TD160 is highly sensitive to vibration. The MMF5 currently sits on a 2" maple shelf which rests on Vibrapods on top of a wooden cabinet which sets on a carpeted suspended wooden floor. So, I'd like to move it to a very stable location nearby; or, isolate it better in its current location. If I relocate it to the more vibration-free location, however, I would need a 15 foot interconnect between the TT and preamp. Is that too long a distance for a TT interconnect? Will that long a cable degrade the sound significantly? Any suggestions for isolating it better in its current location.
Also, I'd like recommendations on good TT interconnects and would like to keep the cost low.
Thanks for any suggestions and comments.
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Showing 2 responses by bdgregory

I needed to set my TT some distance from my preamp, and guess I was too dumb to think to ask this question. Instead I simply used 3m IC's connected to the TT connector (an MMF5)using gold RCA f-f connectors from Parts Express. So I'm actually running about 4M IC's, and it seems to be working very nicely. It's dead quiet, and resolution hasn't been disappointing.

Will it hurt to try it out?
Joe, in my layout I originally hooked up a Music Hall Phono Pack pre sitting next to the TT, with the 3M IC's going into my Exposure Preamp in another rack. It worked great. I moved from the Exposure to a Rega Hal preamp that has a very nice phono section, and in my haste just substituted the connectors in place of the phono pack.

One reminder - make sure you construct a good ground jumper for the Phono to the preamp. I had awful ground problems initially. Once solved it's worked great.