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.

SILVERCORD & COPPERCORD LINES OF ANALOGUE INTERCONNECT CABLES

The Coppercord & Silvercord lines of cables feature low capacitance, handmade, solid core cables. The cables offered in this series, follow a similar geometry and share many design ideas. However, there are significant variations regarding their conductor material, dielectric and shielding. A wide selection of connectors is available for all the variations across this range of cables.

The Coppercord & Silvercord series is designed to offer outstanding sonic performance, by a professionally constructed and finished cable assembly. At the same time, these cables have a minimal, ‘no frills’ appearance which allows us to offer them at very competitive prices despite the high quality of their materials.

All of our handmade cables are researched, designed and produced by ourselves in our workshop in Wales using raw materials. We do not use off the reel cables or pre-insulated conductors and all the cables are made on order to our customers’ specifications. We are responsible for all production and distribution so that our selling prices are free from any marketing and distribution overheads

Back In 2014 we decided to design a line of analogue audio cables which could deliver very similar performance to our CLIO cables but it could also be offered at an even more affordable price. A year later we launched Silvercord cables followed by Silvercord Plus. In this line of pure silver cables we also added our Coppercord cables (2016), featuring similar principles but using OCC copper instead of OCC silver as their signal conductors. In 2021 we also introduced the Silvercord Duo24 phono and line level interconnect cables. .

All of the phono cable designs in the Silvercord & Coppercord lines share some common principles: Very low capacitance, high purity continuous casting silver and copper conductors, insulation with very low dielectric involvement, heavy shielding using a minimum of a silver plated OFC copper braid with 98% optical coverage (this is one of the finest shielding braids available in the market, by far exceeding the standards of the shields used on audio cables) and a minimal but elegant appearance with an outer silicone compound cable jacket.

The challenge with such cable designs is to assemble and finish them in a manner that ensures consistency of the conductors alignment, durability against regular handling, resistance to the environmental impact, and a user friendly profile with suitable mechanical characteristics. Although the above seem straightforward and they are taken for given, they are usually absent from most handmade (and not only) high end cables. The finish of the cables is kept as minimal as possible but we have chosen to use a high quality airtight insulation for the cable jacket. Braided sleeves that are often used on handmade cables may look appealing but unless the cable assembly is properly finished with a suitable cable jacket, the braided sleeve will not offer any substantial protection to the cable. Braided sleeves allow air and moisture to penetrate a cable that does not have a proper jacket resulting to oxidization of the metal parts and higher levels of energy storing  by the cable dielectric over a short period of time. At the same time braided sleeves offer very little in maintaining the dimensional stability of the cable and mechanically support to the inner assembly. They overall offer a very poor electrical isolation between the cable and its environment and their main role is to be used as an added layer of protection against vibration and handling; not to replace the cable jacket itself. 

The extremely flexible silicone jackets we use on the SIlvercord & Coppercord cables, along with a combination of solid and medium density inner insulation and  fine stranded braided shields result to a highly flexible profile. These cables can be used with ease on turntables that require extensive flexing of the signal cable and reduce any mechanical feedback on the tonearm itself. You will find that not only the sonic performance of the Silvercord & Coppercord cables is well above what their price suggests, but also their craftsmanship is beyond one’s expectations for such modest cables.

In a nutshell, the main reasons for choosing one of our Cord Series cables:
- One of the most effective shielding arrangements with a very high coverage and skin depth and low impedance to the ground
- Very low capacitance
- Extremely flexible (for ease of installation and minimal mechanical feedback/strain on the tonearm and the turntable suspension)
- Outstanding build quality and finish to ensure consistent performance and durability over a very long period of time.
- Dedicated, precision executed design, to accommodate optimal geometry, dielectric and conductor material.