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Whether you are setting up a temporary or a permanent stereo system, knowing the basics about how your components communicate is essential to getting the best quality sound. This fact couldn’t be more true when it comes to the delicate signals produced by a turntable. So, knowing the proper gauge and turntable cable lengths are critical to maximizing your audio experiences.

Understanding the correct turntable cable length involves using the equations to calculate voltage drop. Depending on the turntable and whether or not a pre-amp exists within will significantly affect the length of cable necessary before noticeable audio signal degradation.

Okay, so you don’t really need to be an electrical engineer to figure this out, even if it may appear as such. Never fear; I am going to walk you through it, step by step. So, by the end of this article, you’ll sound like a geeky audio engineer spewing formulas and numbers until your heart’s content. Let’s take this for a spin, shall we?

Turntable Cable Lengths – Start Here

As I mentioned, we need to apply some math if we are to figure out just how long a cable is required (and what gauge) for optimal audio performance. However, before we dive right in, I should note the difference between two types of signals you likely have heard of: PHONO and LINE.

PHONO SIGNAL

Back in the day, when vinyl records were being invented and innovated, there was an issue with how much audio you could fit on a record. So, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) introduced a standard (still in use today). This standard they created boosted the higher frequencies while lowering the low ones. In essence, it allowed more audio to fit on a record. However, when reproduced, it sounded weird, so the record players needed a mechanism to undo the standard for playback. The RIAA preamp was born, and this internal device amplifies the frequencies, reversing the compression standard imposed to fit more audio on the vinyl. (source)

The signal is called PHONO before it reaches the preamp. Many turntables offer both PHONO and LINE outputs.

The voltage of the PHONO signal is very weak and delicate at only 0.004 to 0.005 volts compared to the 0.3 volts found on the LINE signal. (source)

LINE SIGNAL

The audio signal produced post preamp in a turntable with LINE output is the amplified and corrected frequency version of the PHONO signal produced by the record cartridge. As mentioned, the LINE signal is amplified and runs at the industry nominal standard of 0.316 volts, with a peak of 0.447 volts. (source)

When To Use PHONO Or LINE

If your turntable has a built-in preamp, then you use the LINE output to your amplifier’s AUX input. Do not plug a preamp line like LINE into a PHONO input. If you have a PHONO input on your amplifier, ensure that a)you’re using the PHONO output from the turntable and b) if the turntable has an output selector, ensure it’s selected PHONO before plugging into your PHONO input on your amplifier.

Also, it’s wise to do the wiring when everything is turned off unless you like frying your speakers (And your ears).

Voltage Drop

Okay, so we’re almost ready to discuss cable lengths. First, you need to understand why length matters. The reason length matters is because of a phenomenon called voltage drop. 

Here’s how voltage drop works. So, you have a braided cable wire, and that wire is a specific size. The wire gauge or AWG rating measures its thickness.

The wire gauge, or thickness, determines how much metal area there is in any slice of the wire at any given time. As such, it determines the amount of electricity that can safely pass through each slice of the wire as the electricity travels along. If there is too much electricity and not enough wire, the wire will heat up and catch fire to the wire’s housing. If there is too much wire and not enough electricity, the electricity will weaken over distance and time as it disperses and slowly fades into the surroundings. Some even escape the wire as electromagnetic fields, further weakening the electrical charge. 

Over distance, this loss of charge, or voltage drop as it is called, will continue until there is no electrical signal left in the wire. Now, in a common audio line voltage of 0.316 volts, the voltage drop will be relatively negligible in a setup where the turntable is only a foot or two from the amp. But if your turntable doesn’t possess a built-in pre-amp, then you need to send the tiny signal (0.0004 volts) from the cartridge to your preamp. That tiny signal is going to be the victim of voltage drop if you try to go too far with the cabling. The preamp should sit basically right beside the turntable with the shortest possible cable length.

So the question is now, how long can you send a PHONO signal down a wire before voltage drop really messes with your audio signal. And just how long can that cable be before we have a problem?

Voltage Drop General Formula

VD = IR cox0 + IX sin0

Where:

VD = Voltage drop, the line to neutral, in volts 

I = Line current in amps (the line load)

R = Circuit Resistance, ohms

X = Circuit Reactance, ohms

Cos0 = decimal power factor of the load

Sin0 = decimal reactive factor of the load

Obviously, we’re going to need to know a few more things, and also we’ll need a scientific calculator. We already know cos and sin, as they are programmed into the calculator. We also know the voltage, but that doesn’t appear in our formula. We need to know the amperage, resistance and reactance.

To get the rest of our numbers, we can either get a decent multimeter and start metering things out, or look in the manual for your particular record player as well as cartridge and get the rest of the data.

In reality, no one is going to want to go to all the effort, so I’ve created some general rules, which you will find below.

Rules For Turntable Cabling Length And Gauge

I’ve got four basic rules I follow for my turntable cabling. Here is what has worked for me:

• Phono cables like those used in your tonearm to feed the cartridge should be at least AWG 33. There are reported issues with 34 and smaller, but it depends on the particular manufacturer. The insulation ought to be isolating because the weak signals are easily affected by surrounding electrical fields. The wires need to be small due to weight restrictions that can affect the quality of playback, so we keep them thin to keep them light.
• Phono out like from the back of your turntable generally follow the same rules as for standard audio cabling in terms of gauge. I like to use the usual RCA’s at 14 AWG for this, but there’s a catch:
• External phono cables at 14 AWG should not be longer than 3 feet.
• Line cables at 14 AWG should not be longer than 100 feet.

According to Techwalla, most RCA cables built with decent quality or “reasonably well with shielding” as they say, can effectively run up to 200 feet.

High-quality cabling might get you more distance, but you might need a step-up transformer amplifier to extend the signal. 

Isn’t A Bigger Cable Always Better?

It isn’t just in the movie Star Wars where we find Rebels. In the world of electricity, the rebel is called resistance. No, not The Resistance, just resistance. Resistance is measured in ohms, represented by the Ω symbol.

Just to give you the quickest rundown on how it works: Electricity, represented by a bunch of flying electrons, travels down the conductive path that is the wire. However, the wire is a solid, and not a gas, so although great for conductivity, there are also a lot of atoms in the way, which the electrons have to fly around. Think of it like this: the wire is a road, but because it’s a road it’s a natural traffic jam.

The more traffic on the road, the more the jam gets worse. That slows down the traffic more and causes the flying electrons to slow and watch the traffic, carefully rubbernecking while their counterparts are honking their horns because they are late to lunch. 

So, our wire has this ‘traffic’ built-in that causes the flying electrons to slow down. The slow down causes other electrons to get mad, which heats things up until someone melts the wire.

Anyway, if you are a Douglas Adams fan, I hope you enjoyed the metaphor, if not, then I apologize. The point is that all wires have resistance. The smaller the wire, the less the size road so the resistance is greater. The larger the wire, the larger the road, the more room for traffic, the less resistance.

However, when you have a very weak electrical signal, then a really big road is somewhere the signal can get lost, confused, and eventually pull over to the side of the road to contemplate its own existence. In other words, too large a cable and the signal dissipates faster from dispersion. 

It applies to very weak signals like those coming from a cartridge. That and cartridge cable needs to be as small and lightweight as possible or it can affect playback, anti-skate, and more.

At the end of the day, follow the guidelines from the manufacturer for your particular equipment and you’ll do just fine. If you can’t find those, stick to my rules above and in most cases, you’ll have great sound.

Ensuring that your turntable is on a level surface is critical during setup; this helps avoid issues like stylus tracking problems that cause distortion, skipping, or imbalances in the channels.

The turntable’s feet are responsible for leveling the turntable and isolating it from feedback, making it work without giving problems.

In this article, I will be giving an in-depth guide on how to level your turntable, what isolation and balanced turntable feet do to your music output, feedback, placement, and tips to help you get the most out of your turntable.

Part 1: How Do I Make Sure My Turntable is Level?

To make sure your turntable is level, the following steps are important;

1. Place it on a flat surface
2. Use a bubble level indicator
3. Balance the feet
4. Do a final check

Flat surface: 

The first step is to ensure that you place your turntable on a flat surface. This step is essential because in my experience, placing your turntable on an irregular surface can cause issues like vinyl record damage, damaged stylus, and improper isolation of vibrations. The surface of the platform used must be balanced and smooth. (source)

Bubble level indicator: 

The next step is using a bubble level indicator. I use a bubble level indicator to check if my turntable is adequately leveled. When you place the bubble level indicator on the platter, you will be able to check if the turntable is balanced or not. (source)

Balance the feet: 

This next step involves loosening the turntable feet and screwing them back in place until they are balanced. Most turntable feet can be unscrewed and screwed back, in cases where it is still unbalanced, and then you can easily adjust each of the four pegs till they align with themselves.

Final check: 

Finally, use your bubble indicator to check if it is at the center; after all the three above steps have been carried out. If you check your bubble level indicator, and it is at the center, you have successfully leveled your turntable, and it is now ready for use. This also means you aligned the turntable’s feet correctly, so you can always use your bubble indicator while carrying out step 3 to check which peg to screw and which one to unscrew.

Part 2: Six Best Bubble Level Indicators For Your Turntables

The primary tool used to level a turntable in the steps above is the Bubble Level Indicator, and it checks if your turntable is centered. The following bubble level indicators, with their price information links attached, are currently the top bestsellers and highly recommended by turntable enthusiasts:

1. Audio-Technica AT615a
2. Circular bullseye level inclinometers
3. Nobsound aluminum record weight LP turntable disc.
4. Viborg LP320B disc stabilizer HiFi vinyl weight clamp.
5. Standard spirit bubble level.
6. Ubei levels high precision round bullseye indicator.

Audio-Technica AT615a 

Audio-Technica AT615a is a high precision bubble level indicator; it has a machined housing made of aluminum, comes in 37mm diameter and 17mm height. It is primarily known for its excessive precision, which is essential in the leveling of a turntable for getting accurate results. Click here for price information.

Circular Bullseye Level Inclinometers 

The Circular Bullseye Level Inclinometers bubble level indicator comprises top-notch PMMA quality, manufactured with registrations around its round vial, and a waterproof feature. There are no adhesives or glue included in its product, and it is also for not just turntables but telescopes, cabinets, and other equipment. Click here for price information.

Nobsound Aluminium Record Weight LP Turntable Disc 

The rotation velocity of the disc has a combined power of 60 hertz and 45rpm, produced from non-magnetic aluminum material. Its spindle gap is a match for many varieties of turntables, including old and modern ones. It checks The steadiness of your turntable and helps improve sound quality by ensuring balance. Click here for price information.

Viborg LP320B Disc Stabilizer HiFi Vinyl Weight Clamp 

This level indicator is luxurious because of its shiny black color and attractive look. However, it is efficient in leveling turntables, improves the sound from proper balance, and helps in eliminating noise from feedback. Click here for price information. 

Standard Spirit Bubble Level 

This Standard Spirit is a side-to-side bubble level indicator, and it is permanently mounted to wall frames or in hand. It works by pointing out the part of your turntable that needs leveling. It comes with six ranges per pack and can double as a hanger for artworks aside from leveling your turntable. Click here for price information. 

Ubei Levels High Precision Round Bullseye Indicator 

This indicator accurately measures and levels your turntable’s balance, indicating when it’s wobbly or perfectly centered. It is shockproof, made from high-quality non-magnetic aluminum, and known for its accuracy. Click here for price information. 

All the above-listed bubble level indicators were carefully selected and listed as the best by me because they are mobile and can be moved easily at any time, budget-friendly, and will not break your bank account to purchase. They are all top-level indicators popular for their accuracy in balancing turntables.

Home Levelling Tips

The following tips are helpful when setting up your turntable for use at home or small gatherings, they guide you on precautions to follow, and from experience, they have never failed or caused complications: (source)

• The first helpful tip is in placement; ensure to place your turntables and speakers on different platforms or surfaces to avoid causing vibrations to your turntables, which, as earlier stated, can cause several complications.
• Remember to place your turntable on flat surfaces and level adequately.
• Ensure proper isolation of your turntable from external sources that can cause problems, including electronic equipment that poses threats.
• Proper storage of your turntable is just as necessary as leveling it to keep it safe from dust and molds. Store on flat surfaces, too, not just when being played but also in storage.
• Some people might not find this last tip necessary; however, it is essential to know that you don’t have to level your turntable every time you use it. Only when it has been moved or disturbed.

Does a Turntable Have to Be Leveled?

Leveling your turntable is important, and is one of the precautionary measures you must take before playing your records.

The process might seem boring to carry out frequently, but it is necessary to do it and avoid bigger complications that come from unbalanced turntables. Your turntable must be leveled properly, and if you do not want to always do it, make sure you place it in a safe place free from external factors after getting it leveled.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How Long Does It Take to Level a Turntable?

Leveling your turntable takes approximately 5 minutes, depending on the methods used.

My first experience lasted for more than 5 minutes, just in case you find yourself struggling with it on your first try. As you keep leveling your turntables when necessary, you get the hang of it and become a pro yourself.

What Tools Do I Need to Level a Turntable?

You will need a bubble level indicator and a flat surface or platform.

The other necessary thing is the peg, and it comes with your turntable. The bubble indicator will help check if the turntable is at the center after screwing and unscrewing the pegs, while the flat surface is the platform needed to place the turntable on for balance.

Summary 

Leveling your turntable, from my experience, is an essential maintenance practice for both turntables and record players. Imbalance turntables cause a lot of costly damage; antique or rare vinyl records can also get damaged. 

Similar to the leveling is the stability of where you place your turntable. For example, it might be perfectly level but if a person or even a pet walks by and the turntable could jump. Ideal locations for turntables include near-load baring walls where floors are secure and have less chance of transmitting vibration. 

With a good foundation and a level platform, your records will play well. Just ensure you get things nice and level and you’ll be off to a great start.