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02/24/26 at 08:54:39 



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Phono cable capacitance (Read 61 times)
rmt
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Phono cable capacitance
02/21/26 at 18:15:19
 
I use a MM Audio Technica cartridge VM530xEN that has a recommended load capacitance of 150-250 picofarads on my old Yamaha turntable.  I see that a Zen3 phono amp and a Pro-ject phono box 2 have adjustable capacitance settings that can be set to 200 picofarads.  That would put those phono preamps at the sweet spot for the cartridge.  My question about cable capacitance is not which amp to buy but what target cable capacitance should I use for my connection given those specs for the cartridge and preamp.  If I use a cable with a total of 200 picofarad does that mean my cartridge and preamp see 400 picofarad total and put it out of range of the sweet spot?  How do I add these items up to meet the recommended capacitance for the cartridge? What am I missing here?
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Crazy Bill the Eel Killer
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Re: Phono cable capacitance
Reply #1 - Yesterday at 23:04:37
 
You add the cable capacitance to the capacitance of the RIAA unit. So, if each has 200pf, your total net capacitance the cartridge sees will be 400 pf.

Cheers, Crazy Bill

PS. It's usually best to get the lowest cable capacitance and adjust the RIAA preamp. If your cable capacitance is too high, you lose a lot of adjustment that you might need.

Don't be afraid to experiment. The manufacturers recommended capacitance might not be the best fit for YOUR system. Play around and trust your ears Smiley
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rmt
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Re: Phono cable capacitance
Reply #2 - Today at 04:10:04
 
Thanks Mr Bill.  That is the way I was leaning after doing a lot of research the past few days.  I suppose you need to add in about 10-20 picofarads for the line from the cartridge to the rca outlets in the back of the TT as well.  

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