I have a system with a record player - streamer (wiim w phono stage) - dac/preamp - poweramp with 7 meters to cover from the turntable to the midpoint betweem speakers.
So we have RCA analogue to the Wiim, RCA spdif to the DAC/preamp - RCA analogue to the poweramp. Then - finaly - speaker cables.
Which cables should i aim to keep short and which are OK to be long? The poweramp close to the speakers would be great.
It does depend a bit on your DAC/preamp, but as a general rule, I’d keep unbalanced cables short, so unless your preamp and power amp have balanced outputs/inputs I would go for long speaker cables and short interconnects.
Some years ago I had a system with Class A monoblock power amps sitting on the floor next to the speakers and 5m interconnects from the preamp. But with that pre, I eventually switched back to long speaker cables as it sounded better.
Roger
Naim power amps prefer longer speaker cables, so if that’s what you’re using you should consider this carefully. Most other amps are happy with shorter cables, so it depends on what you’re using.
Line level cables in particular should be short where possible, and routed carefully to avoid other cables, especially those carrying mains power. So aim to keep sources close to the preamp, and the turntable close to the phono stage.
Good answears on analogue lengts vs speaker cable. How about spdif and toslink. Moving the poweramp has clear aestetic advantages which means about 3 meters from the wiim whic needs to be close to the turntable.
Toslink can probably afford you the longest usage length.
I use a 5m optical cable to link my CD transport.. which is under my TV for ease of access……to my amp.. which is on my rack in the corner of my room. Works flawlessly.
I know this doesn’t help in your case.. but you asked about SPDIF options.
3 metre SPDIF cables (either coax or Toslink) will be fine.
Cables are a djungle. Any pointers for bang for the buck cables? SPDiF?
I use a Mark Grant HDX1 coax cable which works well. (Well enough that I sold my Naim DC1 as it didn’t sound any better.)
Probably the best s/pdif for little money would be 1.5m of Belden 75ohm coaxial terminated with whatever is the best appropriate connection for your kit - so, 75ohm BNC if you have it, otherwise RCA Phono. Find someone who can do a good job in making up a suitable lead and it’ll serve you well (many around who do so and who offer cables made from Belden stock).