How To Replace Turntable Audio Cables

Are you getting buzzing, humming or no sound at all from one or both audio channels on your turntable? You may need new cables.

[@JmieYoutube]

Been watching a lot of your videos, it seems like alot of the issues are directly related to dirty and or loose micro switches, I’ve been learning alot from you. Thank you

[@henrychinaski5223]

I've been making all my own patch cords for years. I use RG-6 100% copper cable with crimp on male connectors. The couple of times I've had to replace TT cables I added a dual female RCA connection point to the back of the turntable. Enjoyable video!

[@TurntableGuy]

RG-6 has excellent shielding.

[@ericschulze5641]

I was going to ask if replacing the cables with dual rca Jack's would be a good option, making replacing the cables very easy, I'm about to revamp my 1980s Dual probably make a new wood cabinet with a granite top unless I find a better one before I get around to it, at which point I'll still do the same to that one, I don't care about the "collector" value my entire system will probably go into a dumpster when I'm gone anyway, along with everyone else's, don't be afraid to modify anything people because that's the fate of everything you own your family doesn't want your old junk

[@michaels-r448]

@Turntable guy - your service video on the Dual 606 was very helpful on a turntable I found at a record store. I replaced the spliced male rcas with females out and made it shorter. Luckily I didn’t have to solder anything. Cleaned up the contacts for the connectors but still have a slight hum in the right channel but nothing crazy. Trying to avoid a hack with the ground in desperation 😮

[@PoppinWheeliez]

In rare instances splicing may be necessary. I just restored a PE 3060, excellent quality turntable, and the oem connectors and mute switch were not designed to directly solder leads so I had to splice in the cables. I used 2 sizes of heat shrink and yes...to be extra OCD added a wrap of electrical tape. Nothing wrong with electrical tape it used neatly.

[@Palosrob]

As a fairly new subscriber I'm really enjoying going through all your older videos. I have a Technics SL-1700 from 1978 that I just recapped and regreased and she's running perfectly. Thanks to a guy on eBay who sells capacitors to replace specific turntables. Through the videos I've been watching I was wondering are you a fan of belt drive or direct drive. I'm a big fan of direct drive and was happy to hear on one of your videos that you said you're a big fan of direct drive. I get why some belt drive affectionados love it but when all things are considered direct drive is always the best way to go. I'm considering getting a Technics turntable with quartz lock but that's some way off. Would you have a recommendation for a good Technics turntable with quartz lock that is as good as the SL-1700?

[@TurntableGuy]

The SL-1200mkII is a battle tank and superior to just about every other Technics table.

[@leoz6338]

Do you notice an improvement in sound when replacing factory cable w high end replacement rca cables?

[@TurntableGuy]

No

[@paulkerr9128]

I did a similar job on a Dual 505. It is a fiddley job and you really do need to try and match the size of the new cables as closely as possible to the ones being replaced. Initially I tried to go with thicker RCAs (thinking thicker is going to be better) but it was a nightmare trying to get the cables to fit properly so in the end I went with a thinner cable (no where near as good quality as the first set) which worked fine.

[@TurntableGuy]

Thickness of cables does not relate to quality

[@ericschulze5641]

Hey Paul I have 505 or 506 I don't remember, I'm about to take out of retirement, as I recall it hummed or buzzed from day 1 it would go away when I touched the tone arm , I'm figuring it was the ground in the house and will be installing a separate ground to the outlet, have you experienced this with yours ?

[@TurntableGuy]

@@ericschulze5641 The ground on a turntable has nothing to do with household AC grounding.

[@ericschulze5641]

@@TurntableGuy why would it go away when I touched the tone arm or ground wire and doesn't the ground wire attach to the ground screw on the amplifier ? which then uses the ground in the house, wich is an old house and only has 2 wires hot and neutral no ground

[@paulkerr9128]

Yes, mine had a bad hum as well. I redid the ground wire when i did the rcas and that fixed it.

[@cooper6086]

👍

[@ewhibs]

Do upgraded RCAs make a difference in sound? Oh yeah, you forgot to turn the faucet off 😂

[@user-ge4od2um1z]

why would you use a cheap smaller dia. cable humm yes i am the TT guy lol.

[@tonysvinyl2214]

Thats what I thought. Useing smaller cable would give you more noice. I would have went with the think ones. But then you would have to find a way to restrain part.

[@TurntableGuy]

If the cable is properly shielded, the diameter of cable has no impact on sound quality or hum. Don't buy into snake oil.