What's wrong with 6-7 ft tonearm wires?

Thanks for all the responses.
I initially plan on using MM/MI cartridges but this may change in the future and I certainly would want to hear a few LOMC just for comparison purposes.

Almarg, could you please list some phono cables with those very low capacitance values?

Paladin, I agree with you about the DM10 and would prefer cables with XLR terminations but my understanding is that the cartridge signals are 'balanced' by nature and RCA or XLR do not change this?

Hi Al,

The Acoustic Zen Silver ref II had claim to have lower capacitance and their website used to have values specified, but just checked today and I can't find the values anymore. Very neutral sonic signature if that gives you any idea.

Could you please list some phono cables with those very low capacitance values?

Several of the Cardas phono cables shown on this page. Click on the corresponding photos:
Neutral Reference Phono: 20 pf/ft
Golden Presence Phono: 12 pf/ft (rca); 7 pf/ft (xlr)
Golden Reference Phono: 11 pf/ft

Several of the Kimber phono cables linked to on this page:
TAK CU: 47.1 pf for a 1 meter cable, apparently even including connector capacitance
TAK H: 46.9 pf for a 1 meter cable, apparently even including connector capacitance
TAK Ag: 47.1 pf for a 1 meter cable, apparently even including connector capacitance

My understanding is that the cartridge signals are 'balanced' by nature and RCA or XLR do not change this?

Connecting the cartridge to an rca phono stage input will convert it to an unbalanced source, because the impedances between each of the two cartridge output polarities and circuit ground in the phono stage will no longer be the same. That will negate the common mode noise rejection advantages that a balanced input stage would provide, but on the other hand it may not matter.

Good luck!
-- Al

Hi I am a DIY guy I don't know that I can joint to this subject or not, a tonearm cable can make a big change to your system, I mean not only the phono cable the wire inside of the arm too, because of low level signal less contacts always better, my cable is home made 4 ft long direct from cart to amp, no hum problem even without shielded, 10 friends follow my action, I know there are products (tonearm cable)in the market too but need to install by your own, worth to have a try, I am sure you will never go back to the original one again