# Phono cables vs audio rca **URL:** \ **Category:** Cables\ **Created:** [May 15, 2023, 10:20am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/phono-cables-vs-audio-rca/33710 "2023-05-15T10:20:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![astavr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a8b319/32.png) [@astavr](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/astavr)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2023, 10:20am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/phono-cables-vs-audio-rca/33710/1 "2023-05-15T10:20:46Z")
Hi all, kinda newbie here so forgive the question, can i use phono cable to connect other audio gear? ie dac to pre-amp, pre-amp to amp? thanks ---
**Author:** ![Paul](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/paul/32/6_2.png) [@Paul](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/Paul)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2023, 11:40am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/phono-cables-vs-audio-rca/33710/2 "2023-05-15T11:40:14Z")
If by phono cable you’re referring to a standard RCA interconnect cable, then the answer is yes. Most of us prefer to use balanced (XLR) cables for interconnects, but there are plenty of folks and lots of equipment that have only RCA ins and outs. ---
**Author:** ![astavr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a8b319/32.png) [@astavr](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/astavr)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2023, 11:51am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/phono-cables-vs-audio-rca/33710/3 "2023-05-15T11:51:49Z")
Hi Paul, thanks for the swift answer and for the useful info you share with us. I asked the question cause ive seen phono rca cables (for instance audioquest evergreen comes as phono rca and audio rca) and read that they have different characteristics than “normal” rca ---
**Author:** ![john2213](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/john2213/32/94338_2.png) [@john2213](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/john2213)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2023, 12:06pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/phono-cables-vs-audio-rca/33710/4 "2023-05-15T12:06:31Z")
Phono specific cables (from cartridge leads to phono stage/SUT) are generally of lower capacitance and carry a grounding lead You can use “regular” single ended (rca) cables. Try a phono cable of the same quality as your rca’s and see what differences they bring? Best, -JP ---
**Author:** ![astavr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a8b319/32.png) [@astavr](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/astavr)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2023, 12:17pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/phono-cables-vs-audio-rca/33710/5 "2023-05-15T12:17:15Z")
Hey John2213 thanks but im wondering if the phono cable would be ok for dac to preamp connection ---
**Author:** ![Paul](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/paul/32/6_2.png) [@Paul](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/Paul)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2023, 12:42pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/phono-cables-vs-audio-rca/33710/6 "2023-05-15T12:42:14Z")
They are quite specific in their sonic characteristics meaning that using them as a connection for vinyl might sound better than another AQ cable designed specifically for digital. Technically they are the same and can be swapped in and out. The difference being in their voicing. That will just require a bit of listening to make sure they work for you. I suspect they will be fine. ---
**Author:** ![john2213](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/john2213/32/94338_2.png) [@john2213](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/john2213)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2023, 1:34pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/phono-cables-vs-audio-rca/33710/7 "2023-05-15T13:34:16Z")
yup, misunderstood you there… > [@How specific is "phono cable" vs "shielded RCA"?](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/how-specific-is-phono-cable-vs-shielded-rca/27811?gc_id=9090992785&h_ad_id=655987935065&gad=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI35bg5bf3_gIVPf_jBx1rvQ2_EAAYAiAAEgIOuvD_BwE): > > Are dedicated phono cables generally much different from shielded RCA interconnects in their construction? Would I probably go in the wrong direction if I was to replace my phono cable with a good quality shielded RCA? ---
**Author:** ![astavr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a8b319/32.png) [@astavr](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/astavr)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2023, 2:05pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/phono-cables-vs-audio-rca/33710/8 "2023-05-15T14:05:30Z")
🙂 thanks