I'll grant this one exception, which is: if you're using a high output moving coil cartridge (that means 2+ mV as opposed to 0.2 -- 0.6 mV), you could probably go six to eight feet without much problem.
MM cartridges, although they also have higher output, are susceptible to cable capacitance build-up over much more than 4 or 5 feet, so even though they have sufficient output voltage to drive a longer cable without noise, you will start to get non-linear frequency response problems unless you add capacitors to compensate.
MM cartridges, although they also have higher output, are susceptible to cable capacitance build-up over much more than 4 or 5 feet, so even though they have sufficient output voltage to drive a longer cable without noise, you will start to get non-linear frequency response problems unless you add capacitors to compensate.