Tonearm Cables
Our Galibier cable lineup consists of 2 models: the Headwaters and the Wind River. The Headwaters is our "value" choice (although don't underestimate it), and the Wind River is our all out assault on what's possible - employing a complex litz construction we manufacture in-house.
Tonearm cables however, are one situation where we feel it's important to bring more cables into the lineup.
Why So Many?
In general, we don't like to confuse matters with model proliferation, but the quirks of the vinyl playback chain are such that choices yield benefits for this part of your playback chain.
Cable FAQ
Deny this if you will, but connectors are a major contributor to the "sound" of cables.
For this reason, we are now specifying our Headwaters and Wind River cables with a choice of either ETI or Cardas RCAs.
We also can modify any cable we sell to one of these connectors.
The Ortofon cable (below) in particular, was an interesting case study. We went through several connectors before deciding that the Cardas RCAs justify their presence in the lineup.
Cables - a Guide
Our cable FAQ covers a broad range of topics. In particular, we've developed a strategy on how to sequence your cable evaluation and selection.
Whether it's cables from Galibier or anyone else, following an auditioning strategy can save you time and money, by preventing costly errors.
Click to jump directly to a section of interest
Wind River - from $1,895
Pricing (1.2m / 4 feet)
- Cardas S-DIN phono connector
- RCAs $1,895 (ETI Kryo or Cardas SRCA)
- XLRs $2,095 (ETI Kryo)
Add $150 to above for 1.5m length.
All Galibier designed cables come with a 30-day return policy.
Wind River Phono
Specifications
- Capacitance: 17pf per foot (unbalanced)
- Effective Wire Gauge: 24
- Maximum (standard) length: 4 feet / 1.2m
ETI Kryo XLR
Construction
- Copper Litz wire
- Cardas S-DIN connector
- RCAs: ETI Kryo or Cardas GRMO
- XLR: ETI Kryo
- Assembled with Cardas solder
- Cotton sleeving for ideal dielectric behavior
- Braided copper shield
- 72 burn-in on our Cable Cooker (as we do all of our cables)
ETI Kryo RCA
Comment
This cable is the sibling of the Wind River line level interconnect.
It's construction has as close to zero dielectric as possible with the only dielectric being the heat shrink used for strain-relief, and the thin enamel and nylon serving in the litz wire's construction.
Most manufacturers blow their horn over the use of Teflon, foamed PTFE, etc. We’re not most manufacturers.
Choosing cotton for the jacket was based on sonics, and was validated by our beta test group and several local customers.
We manufacture the Wind River in-house, and it is a labor of love - taking about 4 hours to build a 1.2m tonearm cable.
Cardas Clear Cygnus - $550 (1m)
The Clear Cygnus hits a sweet spot in the Cardas lineup.
It's the point where the classic Cardas sweetness benefits from added top end sparkle.
The Cygnus and our Headwaters are more alike than they are different, with the Cygnus having a slight bit more emphasis in the upper bass region.
If the Cygnus was an instrument, it would be either a cello or an oboe.
Add $50 for each .25 meter length increment above 1m.
Cardas Clear Cygnus
Termination: Cardas S-DIN and GRMO RCA connectors. 72 hour burn-in on our Cable Cooker.
Galibier Headwaters - $449 (1m)
The Headwaters tonearm cable is constructed with the same Mogami 2549 as our Headwaters interconnects.
When passing a cartridge level signal, the Headwaters is a bit leaner sounding than it's line level counterpart.
It comes very close to mimicking the Cygnus when terminated with Cardas GRMO RCAs (same ones used in the Cygnus).
Terminated with ETI RCAs, there's a bit more high frequency extension which makes an accurate setup more critical.
ETI Kryo Termination
If the Headwaters was an instrument, it would be a saxophone.
Cardas GRMO RCA Termination
- Mogami #2549 cable
- Cardas S-DIN phono connector
- RCAs: ETI Kryo or Cardas GRMO
- Optional Neutrik XLR termination is available for the same price
- Assembled with Cardas solder
- 72 hour burn-in on our Cable Cooker (as we do all of our cables)
- No charge for extra lengths up to 2 meters (you don't want a long phono cable).
All Galibier designed cables come with a 30-day return policy. High quality connectors will change your opinion about Mogami!
Ortofon 6NX-TSW1010 (1m) - $329 to $449
After experimentation with several RCA connectors, we're offering this phono cable in two flavors (both are 1m long):
- Stock for $329
- Modified with Cardas GRMO RCA connectors for $449
The Cardas modified version is similar in tonality to the Cardas Clear Cygnus.
In its stock version, we'd recommend it for a system which needs a bit more "life" in the presentation.
6NX-TSW1010 w/std RCAs
This once again demonstrates that connectors have a significant influence on a cable's character.
A right angle DIN connector version is also available, and we can modify the cable for XLR operation with Neutrik connectors.
6NX-TSW1010 w/Cardas
Terminated with Cardas
Cardas Iridium - $210
The worst thing about most cables at this price point is that they tend to grate on you.
Cardas' errors have always been ones of omission.
Does it have the last bit of resolution? Of course not, but at this price point, it's a wise tradeoff.
It won't force you to cut your listening session short because your hi-fi hurts your ears.
Add $20 for each .25 meter length increment above 1m.
Cardas Iridium
Termination: Cardas S-DIN to Cardas RCAs.
72 hour burn-in on our Cable Cooker.
