Tonearm cables & phono cables
The most sensitive metre in your system.
Between turntable and phono stage travels the smallest signal in the entire hi-fi chain: a few millivolts from MM cartridges, often only tenths of a millivolt from MC cartridges. Anything the cable picks up along the way is then amplified a thousandfold. A good tonearm cable shields against interference, carries the ground cleanly and does not load the cartridge with unnecessary capacitance. Here you will find phono cables with DIN, RCA and XLR connectors, together with the knowledge to choose the right one.
A typical tonearm cable: 5-pin DIN plug at the tonearm, two RCA plugs at the phono stage and a separate ground lead.
What makes a good tonearm cable
Why the tonearm cable matters so much
No other cable in a hi-fi system carries such a small signal. A phono stage raises it by a factor of a hundred to a thousand, with MC cartridges often by 60 dB or more. Everything picked up along the way is amplified along with the music: hum, noise, interference from power supplies or mobile networks.
Add to this RIAA equalisation: it boosts low frequencies by up to around 20 dB relative to 1 kHz. Any 50 Hz hum picked up by the cable therefore becomes particularly audible. That is why shielding and clean grounding matter more for the tonearm cable than for any other cable in the system.
Connections at a glance
Which cable you need depends on the connection on your tonearm or turntable. Take a look under the arm base or at the back of the turntable.
Check the shape of the DIN plug: if the socket sits vertically under the arm base, an angled plug is often the better choice, so that the cable does not press against the plinth or the shelf.
Capacitance: why it matters with MM cartridges
An MM cartridge has a coil with comparatively high inductance. Together with the capacitance of the cable and phono input, it forms a resonant circuit that shapes the treble response. Most manufacturers recommend a total capacitance of around 100 to 200 pF. If it is clearly too high, the resonance slips into the audible range: the treble first rises and then rolls off early.
Cable capacitance + input capacitance = total load
Example: cable 1.2 m × 80 pF/m ≈ 96 pF, phono input 100 pF → around 196 pF. Suits a cartridge with a recommended 150–200 pF.
With MC cartridges, cable capacitance hardly matters, as their coils have very low inductance. Here, shielding and grounding take priority. Many phono stages let you switch the input capacitance; a low-capacitance cable leaves more room to adjust.
Turntable humming? How to find the cause
A low hum that rises with the volume, even when no record is playing, almost always points to a grounding or shielding problem. Work through the steps in order and keep the volume moderate.
Check the ground lead
Is the tonearm cable's ground lead firmly screwed to the GND terminal of the phono stage? A loose spade connector is the most common cause of hum.
Check the plugs
Push RCA and DIN plugs firmly home. If only one channel hums, the cause usually lies in that channel or its plug.
Change the cable route
Do not run phono cables parallel to mains cables. Where they must cross, do so at right angles if possible.
Keep away from transformers
Place power supplies, amplifiers with large transformers and power strips at a distance from the turntable and phono stage.
Try grounding variants
With some equipment, hum only disappears when the ground is connected elsewhere or, as a test, not connected at all. Try this at low volume.
If none of this helps, take a look at the cable itself. Older cables with weak shielding or a broken ground lead are a common, often overlooked cause. A new, well-shielded tonearm cable with a separate ground solves the problem in many cases.
Balanced with XLR: the professional route for MC
A cartridge is by nature a floating source: each coil has two terminals that are not connected to ground. This makes it ideal for balanced transmission. The signal runs in opposite phase on two conductors, and the phono stage only evaluates the difference. Interference that affects both conductors equally cancels out.
For a conventional phono stage with RCA inputs, a good unbalanced cable is the right choice. If you already own a balanced phono stage, you should definitely try the XLR version.
What to look for when buying
The best tonearm cable is the one that suits your tonearm, cartridge and phono stage. These six points help you choose.
Not sure which cable suits your turntable? Send us your tonearm, cartridge and phono stage and we will gladly help you choose.
Length & routing
For tonearm cables the rule is: as short as possible, as long as necessary. Every extra metre adds capacitance and more surface for interference. 1 to 1.5 metres is usual, so place the phono stage as close to the turntable as possible.
Route the cable with a little slack and without tension. On turntables with a sprung sub-chassis, it must not pull the tonearm sideways, otherwise the suspension changes or the turntable sits unevenly. A small loop directly beneath the arm base adds further decoupling.
Keep away from mains cables, power supplies and Wi-Fi routers. The ground lead belongs directly on the phono stage's GND terminal, not on any random chassis screw.
Frequently asked questions about tonearm and phono cables
What is the difference between a tonearm cable and a phono cable?
Both terms usually mean the same thing: the cable between tonearm or turntable and phono stage. It carries the very small cartridge signal and therefore has particularly good shielding and, as a rule, a separate ground lead.
Can I use a normal RCA cable for my turntable?
Technically it works, but sonically it is usually a compromise. Normal RCA cables often lack a separate ground lead, and their shielding is designed for larger line signals. The result is often hum or a higher noise floor.
Why does my turntable hum?
Usually the ground connection is missing or loose. Check that the ground lead is screwed to the GND terminal of the phono stage and do not run the phono cable parallel to mains cables. A faulty or poorly shielded cable can also be the cause.
Do I need a DIN cable or an RCA cable?
That depends on the connection on your tonearm. If the tonearm has a 5-pin DIN socket under its base, you need a DIN-to-RCA or DIN-to-XLR cable. If the turntable has RCA sockets at the back, an RCA phono cable with ground lead is sufficient.
What cable capacitance is right for MM cartridges?
Most MM cartridges work best with a total capacitance of around 100 to 200 pF. This is made up of the cable capacitance and the input capacitance of the phono stage. A low-capacitance cable helps you stay within the recommended range.
How long should a tonearm cable be?
As short as possible. 1 to 1.5 metres is usual. Longer cables increase capacitance and susceptibility to interference, which can affect the treble, especially with MM cartridges.
Is a balanced XLR phono cable worth it?
Yes, if your phono stage has a balanced input. Because a cartridge is a floating source, its signal is ideally suited to balanced transmission. This improves immunity to interference, especially with MC cartridges.
Where does the tonearm cable's ground lead go?
To the ground or GND terminal of the phono stage, or of an integrated amplifier with phono input. The spade connector should be screwed on firmly. In some systems it can help to connect the ground elsewhere as a test.
Silence is the backdrop against which music truly shines.
A well-matched, well-shielded tonearm cable ensures that only music travels from your cartridge to the phono stage: no hum, no noise, no dulled treble. Explore our tonearm and phono cables above and find the cable that suits your turntable.
