James85 Posted September 14, 2020 Share Posted September 14, 2020 Hi again all. I recently picked up a vintage tt that has a DIN connection and have had trouble finding an adapter cable that doesn’t look horrid (12 bucks on eBay is the only one I can find that looks like it would accept the current plug ) so I figured I’d have the phono cable converted to rca w ground (so what I consider a normal phono cable). Am I correct in assuming that a rca interconnect could be cut down at one end and soldered onto the tt at the appropriate spot? Obviously a separate ground would have to be included but again I am assuming that could be soldered on as well? Thanks in advance, james. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EV Cali Posted September 14, 2020 Share Posted September 14, 2020 Hi James I think it would help us provide an answer if you tell us what make and model the turntable is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyr Posted September 14, 2020 Share Posted September 14, 2020 39 minutes ago, James85 said: ... so I figured I’d have the phono cable converted to rca w ground (so what I consider a normal phono cable). Thanks in advance, james. I'm afraid you are mistaken, James. What is known as a 'phono cable' is one which has a 5-pin DIN (female) plug on one end (the arm end) and 2x RCA plugs (L & R) on the other end (the phono stage end). Cables which have RCA plugs at both ends are 'normal' RCA interconnects. Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattyW Posted September 14, 2020 Share Posted September 14, 2020 (edited) I had my Victor TT-Y5 converted to quality RCA's recently with a cheap brass banana plug for the ground wire. Allows me to easily roll RCA leads. I'm currently enjoying the best playback I've ever experienced. Edited September 14, 2020 by MattyW 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
audiofeline Posted September 14, 2020 Share Posted September 14, 2020 Hi James, You simple question is deceptively complex, as some things in HiFi are! We will need more pedantic detail to fully understand, and as mentioned above, the model of turntable will be helpful in our diagnostics. I'll try to put some answers to two possibilities. And an important consideration on the cables to use. Option 1 - the "DIN" is a "mini-Din" fixed to the bottom of the tonearm. In this scenario, the description of DIN is common but not accurate. You would be best getting a phono cable with tonearm "DIN" fixture to two RCA plugss. Option 2 - the DIN socket is mounted on the back of the chassis/plinth. In this case the tonearm wires are soldered to the back of the DIN. It would probably be the easiest to change the DIN to two RCA sockets and a ground binding post (perhaps mounted on a plate for easy fixing). This would allow a RCA-RCA phono cable to be used, easier than chopping the plugs from a good RCA lead. The cable. Phono RCA cables are different to regular RCA interconnects. Phono RCA cables need to be "low capacitance" because of the low signals they carry from the cartridge, and they also need to be shielded or you will be liable to get a hum. Regular RCA interconnects can be high or low capacitance, and can have a number of designs to manage the earth/shield. The need for low capacitance in a RCA cable means they are generally more expensive than regular RCA interconnects. So, to answer one of your questions, you can't chop off the plugs from a regular RCA interconnect to use as a phono cable, unless it is shielded and low capacitance. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James85 Posted September 14, 2020 Author Share Posted September 14, 2020 Thanks you lot. Learning learning learning!! so the model is an ERA 666 and I have attached a pic of what I was calling the Din plug. 5 pin male. I had read on here someone mentioning to be wary of adapters cos not all dins were necessarily wired the same and you could blow your amp or other equipment if the adapter crosses things up. im all ears for what you think would be the best affordable option 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lenticularis Posted September 14, 2020 Share Posted September 14, 2020 I believe the safest quality solution for you James, would be to contact @Bill125812 who is now a sponsor of SNA. His cables are beautifully made and superb quality/price and I'm sure he can make up one for your requirements. (I'm simply one of his happy repeat customers). Unless you have a multimeter and can check wiring details, it's probably a good idea to send any existing cable to whoever you use to supply a replacement. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Citroen Posted September 15, 2020 Share Posted September 15, 2020 There really shouldn't be any problem in just chopping that DIN plug off and attaching 2 RCA plugs instead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James85 Posted September 15, 2020 Author Share Posted September 15, 2020 28 minutes ago, Citroen said: There really shouldn't be any problem in just chopping that DIN plug off and attaching 2 RCA plugs instead. That was what I had in mind. But bills cables sound good too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James85 Posted September 15, 2020 Author Share Posted September 15, 2020 13 hours ago, lenticularis said: I believe the safest quality solution for you James, would be to contact @Bill125812 who is now a sponsor of SNA. His cables are beautifully made and superb quality/price and I'm sure he can make up one for your requirements. (I'm simply one of his happy repeat customers). Unless you have a multimeter and can check wiring details, it's probably a good idea to send any existing cable to whoever you use to supply a replacement. The cable is hardwired into the tt though, so ideally and adapter would be the go, or maybe get him to do me a phono cable and have a tech replace the din cable? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lenticularis Posted September 15, 2020 Share Posted September 15, 2020 Sounds like a plan! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
audiofeline Posted September 15, 2020 Share Posted September 15, 2020 It should be a very simple job for a tech to do. Easy DIY if you can solder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tatos75 Posted September 10 Share Posted September 10 Hi Guys I’m bumping this post as I’ve come across this problem after inheriting my fathers Goldring G99 which has mini DIN at tonearm end and he was given this dodgy looking RCA adapter years ago which I don’t think he ever tried but when I connect it to my amp I’m only getting 1 channel and a bit of a hum also. I’d like to convert or get a cable maybe with mini DIN to RCA. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Sydney location. Setup pics below. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyr Posted September 10 Share Posted September 10 @Tatos75, you appear to need a standard phono cable which has: a 5-pin ('mini') DIN plug at the arm end (either a straight plug - as you posted - or a 90-deg plug) and RCA plugs at the phono stage end. Mark @SonicArt can make you up such a cable. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
audiofeline Posted September 10 Share Posted September 10 4 minutes ago, andyr said: @Tatos75, you appear to need a standard phono cable which has: a 5-pin ('mini') DIN plug at the arm end (either a straight plug - as you posted - or a 90-deg plug) and RCA plugs at the phono stage end. Mark @SonicArt can make you up such a cable. The phono cable will also have a ground/earth lead from the "mini-DIN", as well as the l+r RCA plugs. (Posted for completeness, not a criticism of Andy) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyr Posted September 10 Share Posted September 10 1 minute ago, audiofeline said: The phono cable will also have a ground/earth lead from the "mini-DIN", as well as the l+r RCA plugs. That's what the central pin in the 5-pin DIN plug is for, Rob. 1 minute ago, audiofeline said: (Posted for completeness, not a criticism of Andy) None taken. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tatos75 Posted September 10 Share Posted September 10 Thanks guys, I didn’t really know where to start with this. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SonicArt Posted September 10 Share Posted September 10 can certainly help you with a quality phono cable, I machine all my own din plugs in brushed alloy with cardas 5 pin insert. shoot me an email, info@sonicartaudio.com 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PKay Posted September 11 Share Posted September 11 13 hours ago, SonicArt said: can certainly help you with a quality phono cable, I machine all my own din plugs in brushed alloy with cardas 5 pin insert. shoot me an email, info@sonicartaudio.com I have two of them for my turntables and I think they are seriously good value for money and sound as good as cables far more expensive. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tatos75 Posted September 11 Share Posted September 11 51 minutes ago, PKay said: I have two of them for my turntables and I think they are seriously good value for money and sound as good as cables far more expensive. Great to hear as I have contacted Mark and ordered a cable today. Thanks for the info and thanks to all that have helped me with this. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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