Pictured are some of my collection of tone-arm plugs. The first 3 fit my SME V series tonearms perfectly. The OEM tonearm cable is the right angle plug. The last 2 are expensive custom replacements which are useless because of the sloppy fit. Any ideas as to why the variance in dimensions? The Jelco is made in Japan if it helps. The 2 silver ones are from E.U. but one fits and the other doesn't. Go figure.
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A connector should have a spec for the mating pin diameter. If it doesn't, it is not a serious product.
It is not just the pin diameter. The barrel is a loose fit in the SME tonearm socket. My beef is that all of these plugs would be referred to as 5-pin DIN but clearly some are incompatible with some DIN sockets.
The multiple pin/receptacle tension should hold the connectors together securely.
Some DIN connectors do have a mechanical locking ring. It is usually best, though,
to stay within a mfr's connector system for both pieces.
Some DIN connectors do have a mechanical locking ring. It is usually best, though,
to stay within a mfr's connector system for both pieces.
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If only it was that simple. SME themselves are reported to recognise that aftermarket tonearm cables may be preferred by some users. The supplied van den Hul 501 cable has a mixed reception since its inception and I have never liked it, despite periodically comparing it to quite a few other cables. Also I can't see a good argument for the right angled plug. It is just awkward with every plinth system I have used. Anyway I have now accepted the pain of building my own tonearm cables. Treat it as an opportunity to improve my soldering skills.
BTW the Jelco plug barrel diameter is 11.66 mm. All the others are 11.75±0.01 mm. So the Japan JIS standard differs from DIN.
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A right angle plug is needed on some turntables to prevent touching the bottom
of the turntable base and fouling the suspension (if there is one).
of the turntable base and fouling the suspension (if there is one).