Ground connection to peramp: Choose whether you require an external ground connection for the phono preamp or not. If you choose not to have an external ground connection to the phono preamp, this will be performed via Pin 1 of the XLR. Note that your choice will not affect the balanced character of the cable.
Using the ground pins of the XLRs to make the ground connection (no external ground) is the most common configuration. However, certain phono preamp manufacturers recommend that the cable shields (Pin1 of the XLRs) should not be connected to the turntable. Instead the ground connection should be made using the external ground lead to the chassis of the phono preamp. If this is the case it will be clearly mentioned in the user manual of your phono preamp.
If you are not sure which choice is more suitable for you please get in touch and we will try to help.
Optional ground connection to the turntable chassis Most tuntables do not require this additional ground connection to their chassis. DIN tonearm cables always incorporate an internal ground connection in the tonearm connector. This option is only suitable for certain turntable models that have their chassis (or sub-chassis) electrically isolated by the tonearm mass (i.e. Linn LP12). In such cases we can supply the cable fitted with a suitable, additional ground lead to enable this connection (typically using an M4 ring terminal).
Angled DIN Pin orientation:
This option is only relevant if you choose to have your cable fitted with an angled tonearm connector. If you use a straight tonearm connector simply leave it to the default option
Not all tonearms have their pins rotated to the same direction. The pin orientation of your tonearm socket and the tonearm connector will determine the direction towards which the cable will exit the tonearm/turntable. By default all of our angled tonearm connectors are configured using “option 1” orientation as shown in the images, which is the most common. The choice depends on how the pins of your tonearm socket are rotated.
Option 1 is the default option for the vast majority of tonearms and tonearm cables.
Option 2 (180deg.) is the second most frequent option. It is typically used on Jelco tonearms but also on some Audioquest, Audiomods, Fidelity Research and Roskan models.
Option 3 is quite rare but it is often used on some SME tonearms when there is the need for the cable to be routed downwards.
Option 4 is the least common and it is typically used on Graham tonearms.
It is always advised to check your tonearm and see how its output pins are rotated so that you can choose the best option according your set up and cable “dressing” preferences.
