Replacing 5 Pin DIN to RCA

[ahblaza]

Hello to all,
I have a question, well maybe two. I have a Jelco SA-250ST tonearm that is in very good condition. My first question is the arm wiring is terminated into a 5 pin DIN connector, how difficult would it be to convert this DIN to female RCA plugs with ground so I can use any good interconnects I choose? I have a good (I think) DIN to male RCA with ground cable that I currently use. Would it matter SQ wise if I were to do this. I can also go with something like this converter (adapter) of better quality, but still would it matter?
Bang Olufsen 1 Foot 5 Pin DIN Plug to 2 RCA Jacks | eBay

This is currently what I'm using.
Silver Series C4 Tonearm Cardas female/Delrin- Neutrik rca - $95.00 : Ultimate Cables - Silver Audio Cables, Bringing your music closer!
The main question still remains, can I improve on this current arm setup without changing tonearms, and would this conversion matter over what I am currently using. Thanks Mark (TLS) and all who answer.
Here is the arm on a Sota Sapphire table bought new in 87
Cheers Jeff

 

[TLS Guy]

Hello to all,
I have a question, well maybe two. I have a Jelco SA-250ST tonearm that is in very good condition. My first question is the arm wiring is terminated into a 5 pin DIN connector, how difficult would it be to convert this DIN to female RCA plugs with ground so I can use any good interconnects I choose? I have a good (I think) DIN to male RCA with ground cable that I currently use. Would it matter SQ wise if I were to do this. I can also go with something like this converter (adapter) of better quality, but still would it matter?
Bang Olufsen 1 Foot 5 Pin DIN Plug to 2 RCA Jacks | eBay

This is currently what I'm using.
Silver Series C4 Tonearm Cardas female/Delrin- Neutrik rca - $95.00 : Ultimate Cables - Silver Audio Cables, Bringing your music closer!
The main question still remains, can I improve on this current arm setup without changing tonearms, and would this conversion matter over what I am currently using. Thanks Mark (TLS) and all who answer.
Here is the arm on a Sota Sapphire table bought new in 87
Cheers Jeff

The only problem I see is that you have a lot of connectors on a low level signal. Also you have extended the cable, which will increase capacitance a little.

If it were me, I would cut off the DIN connector and solder on good quality RCA plugs which would be the best and cheapest solution.

If you are not able to do that, then your current solution is probably the best for you.

 

[ahblaza]

The only problem I see is that you have a lot of connectors on a low level signal. Also you have extended the cable, which will increase capacitance a little.

If it were me, I would cut off the DIN connector and solder on good quality RCA plugs which would be the best and cheapest solution.

If you are not able to do that, then your current solution is probably the best for you.

Mark, I don't understand your reply, all I have is one DIN cable that plugs directly into the tonearm's male DIN end under the table itself. This is all I'm using right now.
Silver Series C4 Tonearm Cardas female/Delrin- Neutrik rca - $95.00 : Ultimate Cables - Silver Audio Cables, Bringing your music closer!
It is less than a meter in length and plugs into my preamp. I don't have any other adapters or connectors in the signal path. The tonearm is terminated with a 5 pin male DIN and my 5 pin male Din plugs into that, that's all. Are you telling me to remove or cut off the male DIN from the tonearm and solder a short length of female RCA plugs in place of the tonearm's male DIN and then connect a good pair of interconnects into the female RCA's and then to preamp. If so, could you be more specific how to do this. Thank you.
Jeff

 

[TLS Guy]

Mark, I don't understand your reply, all I have is one DIN cable that plugs directly into the tonearm's male DIN end under the table itself. This is all I'm using right now.
Silver Series C4 Tonearm Cardas female/Delrin- Neutrik rca - $95.00 : Ultimate Cables - Silver Audio Cables, Bringing your music closer!
It is less than a meter in length and plugs into my preamp. I don't have any other adapters or connectors in the signal path. The tonearm is terminated with a 5 pin male DIN and my 5 pin male Din plugs into that, that's all. Are you telling me to remove or cut off the male DIN from the tonearm and solder a short length of female RCA plugs in place of the tonearm's male DIN and then connect a good pair of interconnects into the female RCA's and then to preamp. If so, could you be more specific how to do this. Thank you.
Jeff

I missed the part where the actual arm is terminated as a male DIN. In that case just using what you have now is optimal. I thought the turntable had a long lead terminating in the male DIN plug. Sorry for the confusion.

DIN plugs are just one of many plagues visited on mankind by the EEC.

 

[ahblaza]

I missed the part where the actual arm is terminated as a male DIN. In that case just using what you have now is optimal. I thought the turntable had a long lead terminating in the male DIN plug. Sorry for the confusion.

DIN plugs are just one of many plagues visited on mankind by the EEC.

T

That's what I thought also. One other question, the tonearm internal wiring is original, would it be worth my while to replace that, and if so could I terminate the rewire to have the arm terminated with female RCAs, probably not as the DIN seems to be an integral part of the arm (thought I would ask though) I don't hear any problems and was just wondering if I should just leave well enough alone, as you say it is the optimal option at this point, and does sound good to these aging ears. Thanks my friend

 

[TLS Guy]

T

That's what I thought also. One other question, the tonearm internal wiring is original, would it be worth my while to replace that, and if so could I terminate the rewire to have the arm terminated with female RCAs, probably not as the DIN seems to be an integral part of the arm (thought I would ask though) I don't hear any problems and was just wondering if I should just leave well enough alone, as you say it is the optimal option at this point, and does sound good to these aging ears. Thanks my friend

You never ever rewire a pickup arm unless you have to. I can assure you it is a terrible job, with a lot to go wrong. This is a definite case of if it isn't broken don't fix it!

 

[ahblaza]

Thanks Mark, I was hoping you would say that, I considered it when I had the arm and base plate removed so I could realign and balance the arm and fix the cueing mechanism, it did look difficult and time comsuming let alone fixing something that ain't broke, thanks again, I'm enjoying it now and the thought of changing anything is gone. Love that Watts Dust Bug.