Cable geometry: Star-Quad

Conductor material: Pure OCC Silver

Conductor size: 23AWG

Conductor Type/Geometry: LITZ (Gaia  -Teflon Litz)

Insulation (dielectric material): Multilayered solid & medium density Teflon (PTFE)

Insu;lation (bedding): PTFE wrap

Shields: 2  overlapping silver plated OFC copper braids (each 98% optical coverage).

Cable jacket: Flexible Silicone compound.

Outer braided sleeve: Soft black Multifilament

Diameter of main body - 9mm including outer sleeve

Diameter of cable neck & tails - 7mm

Capacitance:(at 1KHz, 20°C): 49pF/m

Inductance (at 1KHz, 20°C): 0.69µH/m

The GAIA PHONO is inherently a balanced cable which is specifically designed to handle the low level signal from the phono cartridge.

Whether the signal from the phono cartridge is processed as balanced or single-ended, depends on the phono preamp. However, for a successfully balanced operation, some basic conditions must also be met at the source (cartridge / tonearm / turntable). The cartridge negative (-) as well as all the -ve conductors should be isolated by the chassis ground (tonearm mass and turntable chassis). Also, the internal wiring should not be coaxial but formed by 4 symmetrical wires.

There are a few different methods on how to configure the phono cable in order to carry the balanced phono signal from the cartridge to the phono preamp depending on the cable geometry and the design choices of the phono preamp. The balanced versions of the Gaia Phono can be available with either an external  ground lead for  connection to the chassis of the phono preamp, or using an  internal ground connection via the dedicated XLR pins. Both options achieve an effective ground connection between the turntable and the phono stage.

Using the ground pins of  the XLRs to make the ground connection is the most common configuration. However, some phono preamp manufacturers recommend that the cable  shields (Pin1 of the XLRs) should not be connected to the turntable. Instead  the ground connection should be made using the external ground lead to  the chassis of the phono preamp. If this is the case it will be clearly  mentioned in the user manual of your phono preamp. Please do specify  your preferred option when placing an order.

Note on connectors:

We have chosen to make our cables available with a variety of connectors/plugs. The reason we have done so is because we want the customer to have the option to choose what is best for his/her needs and his/her budget. We do not suggest that one should go for the most expensive combo of connectors he/she can afford.  Prices are determined by the various factors in the market and they are not necessarily representative of performance and quality. The options we have selected are what we believe is the best available in their price range and matched to our cable designs.

Keep in mind that often some of the top connectors come at such high prices that are hardly justified by the potential advantage in performance. Connectors are evaluated based on their design, build quality, materials, price and performance. We are more than happy to offer our honest opinion on specific brands/types and we will consider using other connectors of your choice whenever this is suitable and possible.