Rega Planar 2 Sounds Sick ?

Posted by: markjp on 17 December 2001

I've got a Rega Planar 2 which doesn't sound right. It is connected to the following NAC62/NAP 140, Celestion A2's. I haven't used the deck for nearly a year, since I bought the Celestions. I have been enjoying My CD3.5 and Flatcap in my system.I have recently purchased a Marantz twin CDR Machine with the intention of archiving some of my LP's. On using my Planar this weekend it sounded decidedly wooly, the detail just wasn't there. I've checked the tone arm weight and tracking force and have remade the connection to my NAC62 several times.

My question is am I just being spoilt by my CD setup or is there likely to be a problem with my Planar 2, also could there be a fault with the phono card in my NAC62.

PS. Planar 2 is on Rega wall bracket and is fitted with a Super Bias cartridge. The deck is 3 years old but has had very little use.

Any suggetions appreciated.

Many thanks

MArk

[This message was edited by markjp on MONDAY 17 December 2001 at 18:27.]

Posted on: 17 December 2001 by Steve Toy
The rest of your system may well be crying out for a better source, say a P3 or P25 (or even a P9!)

I had a Planar 2 until about a year ago, and the bass can sound a bit woolly.

If you are using the standard Bias cartridge, this will also explain a certain flatness and lack of vivacity to the sound. For quite a modest expenditure, the Super Bias at 64 pounds is a worthy upgrade.

The Elys cartridge would be a little too much for this deck, IMHO.

Also, all Rega decks, being devoid of any suspension mechanism, are rather fussy about placement.

They like to be placed away from preamps/hum-inducing transformers, and ideally be on a dedicated wallshelf. Rega do a shelf for 38 pounds.

It's always a nice day for it wink Have a good one! smile
Steve.
It's good to get back to normal. wink

Posted on: 17 December 2001 by Tony L
There are only about four things that can be wrong with a Rega:

  • It needs a new cartridge or stylus. May sound muffled, spitty, just plain wrong.

  • Its set up wrong regarding alignment / tracking weight / anti-skate etc. May sound muffled, spitty, just plain wrong.

  • It hates what you stood it on. Regas like a nice light table or expensive equipment stand / wall shelf. May sound boomy / lacking in detail or muffled and dead on the wrong support.

  • It needs a new belt. Pitch will sound a bit off. A new belt is only about 7 quid, so its well worth getting a new one anyway if you haven't changed it recently.

Also check the phono boards are well seated in your 62 - just turn it off, unscrew the four feet and slide off the case and pull out and re-seat the two stand up phono boards a couple of times.

A decent record on a P2 with a decent cartridge standing on a decent support should be able to very seriously worry your CD3.5 / Flatcap.

Tony.

Posted on: 17 December 2001 by markjp
I have the Planar 2 on Regas own wallshelf and it is fitted with a Super Bias cartridge. The deck is about 3 years old and has very little use from new.

Mark

Posted on: 17 December 2001 by Steve B
My ex planar 3 sounded dull and unrefined. It turned out to be caused by a faulty arm lead. Mind you my deck was much older than yours.

Still, it might be worthwhile getting a dealer to check it for you.

Steve B

Posted on: 17 December 2001 by Craig B
quote:
I've checked the tone arm weight and tracking force

Due to its very coarse threaded end stub the RB250 tonearm applies 1g of vertical tracking force (VTF) for every half turn of the balanced counterweight. Therefore, three quarters of one revolution of the counterweight will apply 1.5g VTF and one full turn applies 2g etc.

It is very easy to go way over the cartridges recommended VTF if one erroneously assumes that one full revolution of the counterweight equals a 1g change in VTF. In this case 1.5 revolutions from a balanced starting point would equal 3g VTF and definitely result in a wooly sound devoid of musical detail from a Rega cartridge.

I have also found that setting the anti-skating bias slider at anywhere from .25 to .5 less than the VTF sounds best with the RB250 assuming that the platter is absolutely level.

Craig

Posted on: 17 December 2001 by Greg Beatty
My Planer 3 was sounding quite dire three years ago. It was 15+ years old (!!!) and hadn't been in for a service in that time.

The more revealing Naim kit clearly showed it up and we diagnosed the constant "grunge" sound as a shot-due-to-never-being-lubed bearing.

Don't know what Rega recommend re:lubing.

- GregB

Insert Witty Signature Line Here

Posted on: 17 December 2001 by Craig B
Hi Greg,

quote:
Don't know what Rega recommend re:lubing.
Coincidentally, I asked Rega this very question last April and received the following reply...

quote:
The bearing oil is HYPOID 80 motor gear oil (available from any motor spares outlet).

Use no more than two drops as this will affect speed control if you use more or less than the stated amount.

Make sure that you clean the bearing out thoroughly and the ball bearing before replacing the oil which must run down from top to bottom of the bearing in order to evenly re oil the entire spindle.

Craig

Posted on: 17 December 2001 by Greg Beatty
...dude!!!

Now if we can get a similar answer from Linn for our LP12s...

- GregB

Insert Witty Signature Line Here

Posted on: 17 December 2001 by Eric Barry
Another possiblity is that your stylus needs to be cleaned.

--Eric