How do I choose a tonearm cable?


I’ve been pulling my system together for several months and discovered that I need a DIN to RCA tonearm cable that’s longer than the one I have.  After trying to wrap my head around the myriad of options and reading head-spinning technical threads, I’m no closer to making a selection.  

Pricing runs the gamut.  I want to make a good decision, but I’m unwilling sell blood or stand on corners to pay for a piece of wire (besides, I’ve been spending all my money on albums that I can’t yet play).   

My system has been down for months with the amps being converted from stereo to monoblocks and new caps, fighting gremlins in my preamp (which died and has been replaced), added a power conditioner, and a phono stage that’s a stepping stone until get my endgame component.  

I want to get this tonearm cable figured out.  As it stands, I have a Blue Jean Cable cable coming off my Feickert Volare 25 with Hana ML and Auris 10 tonearm but I don’t know if the BJC is good, bad or otherwise.  I highly suspect that I can do better.

Looking for advice.  Thoughts?

patrickalston

Cardas all he way. Agree with @mofimadness . I even had the internal wiring of my tonearm redone with Cardas. I suggest you check the dim configuration as there are straight DIN or angle DIN connectors. Cardas adapt configuration, length, etc. to different specs. Can't go wrong with Cardas. You will definitely hear the difference with the quality equipment you have.

what specific length do you need?

you need to check the location of the arm's din connector, especially if it is recessed within your tonearm’s post.

many are male, close to the end of the tube: a typical female din connector with a shoulder/wider portion, or even a right angle connector will work

 

I showed a long narrow version without a shoulder in my initial post above, they are harder to find.

I checked, in 2019 Pine Tree Audio charged me $150 for my 8 lf custom braided phono cable with long neck female din connector (I gave them the source) to rca with ground

Blue Jeans web site shows the shoulder type, straight or angled, you would need to write them if you need a long narrow variety.

The adapter, din to rca has an even shorter neck, and this version is male, you probably need female

 

 

It sounds like all you need is a longer version of what you have from Blue Jeans

It appears that the 5 pin male din connector is near the bottom of your arm's tube.

If your existing cable's 5 pin female connector is a typical shoulder type, then any straight typical 5 pin din connector will work.

The cutout for the arm post/arm board: if it is a partial depth cutout, the bottom of the post recessed above the underside of the thicker plinth, there has to be clearance for a right angle connector/cable exit, if not needed, I would avoid it. Also, you never know a future cable's use.