Phono/Tonearm Cable Recommendations

KeithR said:
any word on the new phono cables Mike?
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The construction is top notch. I also ordered his top USB cable. I need to try that. I want to burn them in a bit more before commenting and comparing. But very impressed with the company and the build quality.


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Mike said:
I'm looking for a new Phono/Tonearm cable. What are you guys using? What do you like?
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Mike, I had been running the AMG 12J2 tonearm with the AMG Reference Cable (on AMG v12 Viela TT). Really Fantastic. I recently upgraded to the AMG 12JT (Turbo) tonearm with the same AMG Reference Cable... This thing sounds even better. Can't go wrong with either. I moved my AMG 12J2 onto my Clearaudio Innovation Wood as a 2nd arm (same cable). Sounds fantastic on the CA as well.

That new Turbo arm is something you should check out.

B
 
briweed said:
Mike, I had been running the AMG 12J2 tonearm with the AMG Reference Cable (on AMG v12 Viela TT). Really Fantastic. I recently upgraded to the AMG 12JT (Turbo) tonearm with the same AMG Reference Cable... This thing sounds even better. Can't go wrong with either. I moved my AMG 12J2 onto my Clearaudio Innovation Wood as a 2nd arm (same cable). Sounds fantastic on the CA as well.

That new Turbo arm is something you should check out.

B
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Still running that V12 with the AMG Reference cable? It is made in collaboration with Cardas I believe, using the Clear litz.

Ever compared it to a Cardas Clear Phono cable?


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Kuoppis said:
Still running that V12 with the AMG Reference cable? It is made in collaboration with Cardas I believe, using the Clear litz.

Ever compared it to a Cardas Clear Phono cable?


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Yes, running both the 12J2 and 12JT each on their own AMG Reference Cable. It is indeed a Cardas Cable. I have not compared it to the Cardas Clear Phono Cable.
 
Thanks briweed, appreciate it. Good to get recommendations from fellow V12 owners.

I am also contemplating another phono cable, ranging from Lyra PhonoPipe, over a Kondo PCOCC cable, to Cardas Clear Phono or the AMG own reference cable.

It just got me thinking, as the AMG reference is the same price or even dearer than the Cardas Clear Phono, what might be the better option as both are using a Cardas litz.


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...Cardas Clear Beyond Phono might be another contender.

Need an SME connector, which kind of rules e.g. Tellurium Q out, which I would have otherwise liked to try.


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Based on the forum recommendation I am auditioning three phono cables in my system right now:

- Thales phono cable
- Audioquest Leopard Phono
- AMG Reference Phono

So far I have spent time with the Thales and the AMG. The first is nice with a natural sound, however not delivering quite the detail and holographic imaging possible with my system. Bass and mids are also natural, but all-in-all it sounds a bit flat. I think it is made by Viablue. Verdict is ok, but not great.

The AMG Reference is in a different league altogether, no surprise there given the almost double price. While it sounds fuller altogether, that is however not its greatest feature. What I like most is the holographic imaging and detail retrieval across the frequencies, very fine resolution. Of course it also gives classical instruments nice body while retaining great separation. Can only second the earlier statements in the thread that this is a very good phono cable.

The Audioquest I still need to test, but I would doubt it can match the AMG Reference, but let’s see.


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Here are a little more details about the AMG V12 phono cable options compared.

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The basic AMG phono cable sounds ok, let’s you enjoy the TT. It is probably better than the average in-box licorice, but it does not convey the benefits of a high quality cart in a top level TT to a sufficient extent IMHO.

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While Thales TTs are nice, their phono cable sounds flat, lacks dimension, depth and frequency reach on both ends. Based on what the dealer said, it’s made by ViaBlue.

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Next up the AQ Leopard. Price-wise comparable to the Thales cable, it clearly offers better value for the money. Timbres, treble and bass were nice, but detail retrieval could have been a bit better. And the soundstaging was a less extended compared to the top contender in the test.

As I had already experienced the Reference, it remained only fairly briefly in my system.

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Last of the bunch was AMG’s own Reference phono cable (a version of the Cardas Clear Phono, I guess). I would argue that this cable comes closer to what the AMG V12 actually can deliver. Extended highs with very good details, superb timbres and soundstaging. Bass is very solid and detailed as well. Overall, in addition to frequency reach in both directions, soundstaging and superb definition really is what singles this cable out.

The AMG reference costs little less than double of the AQ and Thales phono cables, but the investment is really a no-brainer IMHO.


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Tested also a JPS Superconductor phono cable today. More dear than the AMG Reference, but initially w/o quite the details.

Listening again today to Ray Brown’s ‘Superbass’ the cable actually sounded very nice: great definition and detail, nice tonal balance. Maybe a bit more forward than the AMG Reference amd hence good dynamics.

Also a possible option.

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Hi Kuoppis as same AMG V12 owner my phono cable is Audio Sensibility Signature OCC Silver V2. Its an amazing cable and great price can compete with higher price well known company and a 30 day money-back guarantee. Try yourself !
 
tkcha said:
Hi Kuoppis as same AMG V12 owner my phono cable is Audio Sensibility Signature OCC Silver V2. Its an amazing cable and great price can compete with higher price well known company and a 30 day money-back guarantee. Try yourself !
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That is an interesting recommendation, thank you.

How would you describe the sound, what did you compare it to?


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At audio sensibility still not update yet but it is better OCC silver core cable and I had AMG Reference cable too I choose Audio Sensibility cable but none of you compared already but my gut feeling only siltech top of line phono cable will better for a lot more money.
 
So, the JSP Superconductor V is very nice for high end detail retrieval. A turn-side is it glasses over timbres and some of the micro-detail nuances in other frequencies. A Grand Piano is not as grand as it should be.

But a great cable, the fit depends on your other components.

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Lyra Phono Pipe has the details, the nuances, the timbres and the frequency reach on both ends, the bottom is not very meaty though. But it plays the full register of a piano nicely. Potentially another contender for my system.

However, a brief further auditioning and comparison with other cables showed that I am not getting all the micro-details with this cable. And a stand-up bass does not sound like a stand-up bass and... what is this strange mid range upwards noise somewhere faint and deep in the background... ah, drums. Well, no.

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This exercise shows again how important system synergy is: I demoed a bunch on nice cables in the reasonable price bracket and ended up with one of the higher-end ones.

That said, some reputable cables did not deliver at all.


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At Munich High End I found out that AMG also has another tier above the Reference cable now: the Turbo phono cable, based on Cardas Clear Beyond.

Placed an order in Munich, looking forward to it. I’m sure it will give the system another boost.


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Mike said:
Thanks. Great suggestions. Has anyone tried any of the AudioQuest tonearm cables?


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I have tried AudioQuest cable. It was good. Not as good as the one Im using now. Personally I think that the best option is to buy a cable that uses the same material as the tone arm cable. So a copper cables if your tone arm cable is copper. Silver .... you get my pooint.

However my personal holy grail would be a cable that starts at the cart and goes to the pre amp. Like dr Feickert arms have.
 
Mike said:
I'm looking for a new Phono/Tonearm cable. What are you guys using? What do you like?
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Contact Joe with Kosmic Audio. He has been devising a way to just run a tone arm cable from the tags all the way to your preamp. You don't re-sleve the tonearm till you like what you have. Even then maybe not. Its worth a try to find out if what you are interested in is better than what you have, and it has no connections between the cartridge and the preamp.

http://www.kosmic.us/
 
I just got an AMG custom version of the Cardas Clear beyond and find it really excellent. Ticks all my boxes.


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Kingrex said:
Contact Joe with Kosmic Audio. He has been devising a way to just run a tone arm cable from the tags all the way to your preamp. You don't re-sleve the tonearm till you like what you have. Even then maybe not. Its worth a try to find out if what you are interested in is better than what you have, and it has no connections between the cartridge and the preamp.

http://www.kosmic.us/
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I don't understand why this is not more common? I think Reed Tonearms come with a interlink.
 
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