Pro-Ject Phono DS 5P/XLR

A stereo phono cable from the Connect it DS series with a straight 5-pin DIN plug at the turntable end and female XLR connectors at the other, for a balanced link to the phono stage.

Phono DS 5P/XLR: connectors and construction

Phono DS 5P/XLR is the DS-series version for anyone with a 5-pin DIN arm output and a phono stage with balanced XLR inputs. It belongs to the cables Pro-Ject calls True Balanced: to benefit from the balanced link, the turntable has to carry an MC cartridge or else the Pick it PRO Balanced. It is 1.23 m long.

The conductors are 99.99% pure OFC copper, two of 0.2 mm² laid in a semi-symmetrical geometry and insulated in very flexible cellular polyethylene. The screen is an OFC copper helix wound over a carbon-loaded conductive sub-jacket, an arrangement that guards the signal without stiffening the cable. Capacitance is low, 90 pF over the full length, as a phono signal requires.

The signal contacts are silver plated: Pro-Ject prefers silver to gold for its higher conductivity and lower contact resistance. Silver may darken over time, but that is purely cosmetic, since the oxide conducts as well as the metal. DS cables are assembled by hand in Europe.

Specifications

• Connectors: straight 5-pin DIN at one end, female XLR at the other
• Length: 1.23 m
• Conductors: OFC copper, 99.99% purity
• Cross-section: 2 x 0.2 mm², semi-symmetrical geometry
• Capacitance: 90 pF over 1.23 m
• Insulation: very flexible cellular polyethylene
• Screen: OFC copper helix over a carbon-loaded conductive sub-jacket
• Outer sheath: halogen-free thermoplastic elastomer (TPE)
• Contacts: silver-plated signal pins
• Balanced use: needs an MC cartridge or Pro-Ject's Pick it PRO Balanced