Good stuff!
Phono cables absolutely matter. Kuzma 4pt to SUT is captive Cardas option, SUT to RADA is Crystal Cable Diamond Reference 2 which works well for me
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I am very sad about how much difference a cable can make. I am so envious of cable deniers.
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I wish the tonearm cable wasn’t such a pia to change in my LP-12.
The standard issue cable (Mogami) gives me the heebee jeebees when I think of it.
The Siren! We need to see that and hear that unit soon!!
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Do you mean that the Mogami cable sounds terrible? What phono cables have you tried that you liked? Looking for some ideas to upgrade from my Mogami 3104 cable. I guess I don’t know what I’ve been missing.
I had the NPC for several years. I thought it was excellent until I got the itch to try something new. I had some credit lying around at PS Audio, so I thought I would try the stellar phono preamp. After the stellar was broken in, it was another level better than the NPC and never looked back.
I gave the NPC to my daughter, who has a modest system, and she is extremely pleased with it.
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I was happy to see my tonearm came with a standard DIN connector that allows easy cable swaps. My REGA RP-10 had a fixed “Hope you like it forever” cable.
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Yes, I know there are better phono preamps out there. But I am able to really enjoy this one, and as I play vinyl so infrequently I haven’t had the itch to upgrade. I had a tubed phono preamp before but it was so clear and detailed that every time I changed a tube I got a different overall sound, and it was driving me mad knowing there was a possibly better overall sound “a tube away”. . . a visitor to my house made me an offer I couldn’t refuse and shortly after that I got my NuWave Phono Converter and loved it’s consistent sound, which integrates so well with my system, especially when it is feeding my DSD Mk II.
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The Mogami might be excellent. I just am a cable enthusiast, so I would love to be able to swap some in and out, hoping to improve the sound (or waste money).
Reading thru the digital threads makes 5 figure cartridges seem a no-brainer bargain!
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Great discussion! I’m super happy with my setup. It’s a VPI Prime 21+, which came with their gimbal tonearm, a VPI Shyla MC cartridge and Nordost cables. It goes through a PEQ1 MkII phono preamp from Dusty Vawter’s late outfit, Channel Islands Audio, with its matching outboard power supply upgrade (the two silver boxes below the ‘table in the pic below).
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Surprised you didn’t opt for the upgraded Linn phono cable when you purchased the LP12. Me, I am running a run of the mill Linn cable on my table and have no urge to upgrade it. As you say changing out the phono cable on an LP 12 can be a challenge. Now my VPI Prime allows for easy cable swaps. I have used a Discovery phono cable and am currently using Nirvana SXLTD to the phono preamp and to the integrated amp. Happy camper.
As far as changing out the internal wiring in a Linn tone arm, forget about it as their assembly method (glued joints) makes it near impossible.
With my now departed Rega P8 swapping cables is not an option as it is captive, one continuous cable into the tonearm terminated in the cartridge clips.
Excellent set-up. I’ve toyed with the idea of upgrading my Prime’s 3D tone arm, but have yet to pursue it. Always wanted a Kuzma Four Point, but with that arm I’d probably replace the VPI completely.
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The phono cable is their “T-cable”. It’s their “best” offering and it comes with the Ekos SE tonearm.
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Then you did upgrade. I’d not consider that to be a Mogami cable. Confused. 
The dealer told me that it’s made for Linn by Mogami. Linn don’t make any cables afaik.
Surprised that Mogami fabricated it. Fine cable all the same.
Analog front end details:
- TT: Rega Naia (soon to arrive) replacing a slightly modded Rega RP10.
- Cartridge: Rega Aphelion 2
- Phono Preamp: Rega Aura
Exciting times ahead when the Naia lands (later this week with any luck).
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Lucky you, and what has become of your RP10, a secondary system possibly.
Looking forward to your Naia comments.
Overture AV has a trade-in program so they have the RP10 now. They are also in Delaware so no sales tax!
Will definitely report back results after setup and a few choice LPs spinning.
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