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
Connectors
Deny this if you will, but connectors are a major contributor to the "sound" of cables.
We've experimented extensively with connectors, and now specify either Cardas or ETI for RCAs, and ETI or Neutrik for XLRs.
We can modify some of the cables we sell to one of these companies' 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
DS Audio PH-001 - $2,500
1.2m - RCA Termination Only
Designed by the folks who bring you the DS Audio optical cartridges, they're voiced similarly: full range with a very low noise floor.
Voicing is similar to our Wind River Mk II, and the upper tier Cardas cables.
Before the release of our Mk II Wind River, these cables held bragging rights for lowest noise floor.
If there's one negative to be noted, these cables are extremely stiff. We loathe stiff cables, but they're a great match for DS Audio cartridges.
DS Audio PH-001
Wind River Mk II - from $2,195
Pricing (1.2m / 4 feet)
- Cardas S-DIN phono connector
- RCAs $2,195 (ETI Kryo)
- XLRs $2,395 (ETI Kryo)
All Galibier designed cables come with a 30-day return policy.
Our Mark II version (released in March, 2026) is double shielded - built with a revised variant of litz (details are below).
With the release of our Mark II version, it's the best cable we've auditioned in our system.
Wind River Phono
Specifications
- Capacitance: 17pf per foot (unbalanced version)
- Effective Wire Gauge: 24
- Maximum (standard) length: 4 feet / 1.2m
ETI Kryo XLR
Construction
- Unserved copper litz wire
- Cardas S-DIN connector
- RCAs: ETI Kryo
- XLR: ETI Kryo
- Assembled with Cardas solder
- Cotton sleeving for ideal dielectric behavior
- Double shielded: braided copper shield with inner copper foil second shield
- Burn-in on our Cable Cooker (as we do all of our cables)
ETI Kryo RCA
About the Mark II Version (released March, 2026)
We were musing with a customer about eliminating synthetic materials in our cables when it occurred to us that the litz we were using is nylon served (nylon wrapped). We prototyped unserved litz (naked litz) and the result is the Mark II version.
We eliminated nylon for the same reason we eliminated polyester braid in our interconnects, and the improvement is notable.
- Highs are more delicate and nuanced and fine layer of grit disappeared.
- The second layer of shielding dropped the already low noise floor with no impact on the upper registers.
With the combination of a second layer of shielding and the new wire, the Mark II is an even more challenging build than the Mark I. This cable is a labor of love.
Burn in Note:
With the only dielectric in these cables being the enamel on the litz wire and the heat shrink at each end, these cables sound great, right our of the starting blocks. Almost no burn in is required. Nevertheless, we run the cables in on our Cable Cooker for 24 hours.
Comment
This cable is the sibling of the Wind River Mk II 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 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.
Cardas Clear Cygnus - $655 (1m)
The Clear Cygnus is the point in their lineup 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.
For longer lengths, retail price = (Length in meters x $250) + $405
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
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
Right-angle DIN connector version (6NX-TSW1010L): add $32 fo above prices.
We can modify the cable for XLR operation with Neutrik connectors.
6NX-TSW1010 w/std RCAs
The Cardas modified version is similar in tonality to the Cardas Clear Cygnus.
The stock version, is less refined than the Clear Cygnus, but with a similar tonality.
6NX-TSW1010 w/Cardas
Terminated with Cardas
Cardas Iridium - $250
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.
Longer lengths are available for a modest fee.
Cardas Iridium
Termination: Cardas S-DIN-E to Cardas RCAs.
72 hour burn-in on our Cable Cooker.
