Thoughts on silver v copper tonearm cables

spiritofmusic

Well-Known Member
Jun 13, 2013
14,598
5,403
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E. England
Any opinions on this?
Currently running 60cm point to point silver 4N awg tonearm wire direct from my cart to phono
However, I need a longer run of 150cm to reposition my phono to allow use of Minus K BM-8 under my tt
Unfortunately my tt guy cannot source a longer length of the silver, the only other alternative being unshielded copper Litz
I am aware there will be sound quality differences on any move silver to copper
Just not sure what they might be
Anyone know?
 

ddk

Well-Known Member
May 18, 2013
6,261
4,040
995
Utah
Any opinions on this?
Currently running 60cm point to point silver 4N awg tonearm wire direct from my cart to phono
However, I need a longer run of 150cm to reposition my phono to allow use of Minus K BM-8 under my tt
Unfortunately my tt guy cannot source a longer length of the silver, the only other alternative being unshielded copper Litz
I am aware there will be sound quality differences on any move silver to copper
Just not sure what they might be
Anyone know?

While I don't like all copper wires I never liked any silver cables, aside from the conductor design matters greatly too...

david
 

spiritofmusic

Well-Known Member
Jun 13, 2013
14,598
5,403
1,278
E. England
Hah David!
Nothing like disliking it all LOL
I've had word that 150cm of unshielded copper wire is asking for trouble
And copper likely softer/warmer than silver, and in my system balance w SETs and tonally full, dense Zus, I'm maybe best sticking w silver
Will need to trial the 24" wide Minus K to keep my phono immed to side of tt and retain my minimal length 60cm tonearm wire
 

DaveyF

Well-Known Member
Jul 31, 2010
6,129
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458
La Jolla, Calif USA
Try the Nordost phono cables. I think they are truly excellent. As to internal tonearm cabling, I still like the Van Den Hul copper. Silver vs Copper..I believe it's all a personal taste, no wrong answers.
 

Johnny Vinyl

Member Sponsor & WBF Founding Member
May 16, 2010
8,570
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Calgary, AB
Try the Nordost phono cables. I think they are truly excellent. As to internal tonearm cabling, I still like the Van Den Hul copper. Silver vs Copper..I believe it's all a personal taste, no wrong answers.

I believe so too....it's a question of taste. I'm personally not a fan of pure silver cabling anywhere in the chain.
 

DaveC

Industry Expert
Nov 16, 2014
3,897
2,141
495
Silver has to be 5N+ or UPOCC in order to avoid adding harshness and accentuating leading edges. I'd bet the copper litz will be better.
 

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