Rega Planer 3: sounding thin
Posted by: kj burrell on 16 March 2004
In upgarding my system over the last six months I've moved from an Arcam 8R/Rega Planet to Nait5/CD5, all of which sounds great burt it has left my Planer 3, now run through a Rega phono with Chord Chrysalis ( I think) interconnects, sounding quite thin and tiny. It used to sound better than the Planet by some way. Is this just because the CD5 is such a big jump that its left the P3 behind? Is it possible that the Phono gives a thinner sound than the integral Arcam phono stage? Is there a simple ( ie cheap) answer or do I bide my time until upgrade resources become available?
Any thoughts?
Kevin
Any thoughts?
Kevin
Posted on: 16 March 2004 by kj burrell
excuse the typos - left my glasses at home and can't proof read on the little letters! It should, of course, say sounding tinny, although tiny may be a better word after all.
Kevin
Kevin
Posted on: 16 March 2004 by domfjbrown
What cartridge?
I have a CD5 and Planar3, and until I got a second hand Flatcap, the CD5 was sounding FAR thinner than the Planar3 (with Ortofon 540/PSU upgrade/Flutterbuster/Naim phono cards).
I'd suggest having a look at the setup of the cartridge, though maybe the phono stage you're using isn't helping?
__________________________
Make your choice, adventurous Stranger;
Strike the bell and bide the danger
Or wonder, till it drives you mad,
What would have followed if you had.
I have a CD5 and Planar3, and until I got a second hand Flatcap, the CD5 was sounding FAR thinner than the Planar3 (with Ortofon 540/PSU upgrade/Flutterbuster/Naim phono cards).
I'd suggest having a look at the setup of the cartridge, though maybe the phono stage you're using isn't helping?
__________________________
Make your choice, adventurous Stranger;
Strike the bell and bide the danger
Or wonder, till it drives you mad,
What would have followed if you had.
Posted on: 16 March 2004 by JonR
Hi KJ,
I too have a Planar 3 as well as a CD5, though I run them through a NAC112/NAP150. I find I am very satisfied with the sound and believe it holds up well compared to the CD5 (which also benefits from being attached to a FC2), however I have applied a couple of modificationa to it which I believe has had definite benefits to the sound:-
1) I had it 'P3' modified, ie. the motor was changed to that used for the Rega P3, the current replacement for the Planar 3 in Rega's turntable lineup.
2) It is now fitted with the Super Elys MM cartridge, which is probably about as good a cartridge as you would ever want to fit on this turntable before considering a TT upgrade.
I do also of course use a Stageline, which also benefits from being powered by the Flatcap 2.
Hope some of this helps.
Regards,
JonR
jonreefe@aol.com
I too have a Planar 3 as well as a CD5, though I run them through a NAC112/NAP150. I find I am very satisfied with the sound and believe it holds up well compared to the CD5 (which also benefits from being attached to a FC2), however I have applied a couple of modificationa to it which I believe has had definite benefits to the sound:-
1) I had it 'P3' modified, ie. the motor was changed to that used for the Rega P3, the current replacement for the Planar 3 in Rega's turntable lineup.
2) It is now fitted with the Super Elys MM cartridge, which is probably about as good a cartridge as you would ever want to fit on this turntable before considering a TT upgrade.
I do also of course use a Stageline, which also benefits from being powered by the Flatcap 2.
Hope some of this helps.
Regards,
JonR
jonreefe@aol.com
Posted on: 16 March 2004 by Lo Fi Si
Kevin
If you can, try putting the Planar3 on a Rega wall shelf (about £40 now, I think). This made a huge difference to the bass on mine - increased and tighter bass. The motor upgrade ( as recommended by Jon)is also worthwhile.
Simon
If you can, try putting the Planar3 on a Rega wall shelf (about £40 now, I think). This made a huge difference to the bass on mine - increased and tighter bass. The motor upgrade ( as recommended by Jon)is also worthwhile.
Simon
Posted on: 16 March 2004 by glevethan
Hi
Please look at my posting
http://forums.naim-audio.com/eve/forums?a=tpc&s=67019385&f=48019385&m=7191965696&r=3001946696#3001946696
in which I discuss my experience of replacing my P3 within my Nait5/CD5 system. Interesting reading.
Gregg
Please look at my posting
http://forums.naim-audio.com/eve/forums?a=tpc&s=67019385&f=48019385&m=7191965696&r=3001946696#3001946696
in which I discuss my experience of replacing my P3 within my Nait5/CD5 system. Interesting reading.
Gregg
Posted on: 16 March 2004 by Pictish
Kevin,
I have almost the same setup as yourself Planar3, bare CD5, Nait5, except I use the Naim Stageline phone stage.
For a while I had the Planar running through the internal phono stage on my old Audiolab 8000A amp. Moving to the Stageline was a huge upgrade, a much cleaner but also a more full-bodied sound, definitely not a "tinnier" sound. Taking an album which is well recorded on vinyl and CD (Kenny Burrell, Midnight Blue on Blue Note) I can compare the CD5 with Planar3/StageLine. Result - very difficult to tell the difference, both sound boogie-tastic. On a blind test I really couldn't guess which is which.
So I reckon it could be TT setup/cartridge/phono stage that is causing the "tinny" sound. Perhaps the Arcams internal stage is superior to the Rega - one way to check (if you still have the old amp) is to connect through the Arcams phono stage (via the monitor or Tape loop).
Mike
I have almost the same setup as yourself Planar3, bare CD5, Nait5, except I use the Naim Stageline phone stage.
For a while I had the Planar running through the internal phono stage on my old Audiolab 8000A amp. Moving to the Stageline was a huge upgrade, a much cleaner but also a more full-bodied sound, definitely not a "tinnier" sound. Taking an album which is well recorded on vinyl and CD (Kenny Burrell, Midnight Blue on Blue Note) I can compare the CD5 with Planar3/StageLine. Result - very difficult to tell the difference, both sound boogie-tastic. On a blind test I really couldn't guess which is which.
So I reckon it could be TT setup/cartridge/phono stage that is causing the "tinny" sound. Perhaps the Arcams internal stage is superior to the Rega - one way to check (if you still have the old amp) is to connect through the Arcams phono stage (via the monitor or Tape loop).
Mike
Posted on: 16 March 2004 by kj burrell
Thanks for these. Maybe looking out a second hand stageline would be better than upgrading the whole turntable. It seems to be the only factor separating my system from most of the above. I would still probably need this if I upgraded the turntable anyway. Do you need a fc2 to run the stageline? Any good sites to check out availablilty of 2nd hand stagelines? I was hoping to get one sooner rather than later to further sharpen the CD5/Nait5. I feel a debt crisis coming on!
Kevin
Kevin
Posted on: 16 March 2004 by Pictish
Kevin,
I'm running a Stageline direct from the Nait5. Second hand or ex-dem ones go for around £120.
Mike
I'm running a Stageline direct from the Nait5. Second hand or ex-dem ones go for around £120.
Mike
Posted on: 16 March 2004 by JonR
quote:
Do you need a fc2 to run the stageline? Any good sites to check out availablilty of 2nd hand stagelines? I was hoping to get one sooner rather than later to further sharpen the CD5/Nait5. I feel a debt crisis coming on!
Kevin,
I believe you can run a Stageline off one of the sockets at the back of your Nait5, but I would definitely recommend getting a Flatcap2 - it's the only one of Naim's power supplies that can power more than one device, and I derive maximum use (and value!) out of mine because I've got the Stageline, CD5 and NAC112 all plugged into it!
JR
jonreefe@aol.com
Posted on: 16 March 2004 by Pictish
quote:
Originally posted by JonR:
I derive maximum use (and value!) out of mine because I've got the Stageline, CD5 and NAC112 all plugged into it!
Jon,
You're powering 3 components from the Flatcap2? I'd like to know how you do that!
Mike
Posted on: 16 March 2004 by JonR
quote:
Originally posted by Pictish:quote:
Originally posted by JonR:
I derive maximum use (and value!) out of mine because I've got the Stageline, CD5 and NAC112 all plugged into it!
Jon,
You're powering 3 components from the Flatcap2? I'd like to know how you do that!
Mike
Mike,
Errr....I thought it was all there in the instructions.....! Unless, of course, I have missed a warning which says that the FC2 can only power 2 devices max! I'll have to double-check! Thanks for the 'heads up'!
JR
jonreefe@aol.com
Posted on: 16 March 2004 by JonR
OK, checked the manuals and the system and I now realise I was completely wrong! The Stageline is in fact connected to the aux2 output of the NAC112. Apologies all round for the cock-up!
Kevin, as per one of Mike's earlier posts, you can connect a Stageline to your Nait5.
It does make me wonder though...what would it sound like if it was powered directly by the FC2...?
Regards,
JR
jonreefe@aol.com
Kevin, as per one of Mike's earlier posts, you can connect a Stageline to your Nait5.
It does make me wonder though...what would it sound like if it was powered directly by the FC2...?
Regards,
JR
jonreefe@aol.com
Posted on: 28 March 2004 by kj burrell
Thanks for the comments: bit slow getting round to it, but sent the P3 ( not a Planer 3: der!) in to have a Super Elys fitted. Due back later in the week. I'll post the results.
Kevin
Kevin