Rega rp10 or vpi prime

God...that really is a tough one ...

Great to be able to be in the buying position...but a tough choice...

Backed into a corner .....Prime for me ...

Some thoughts....do you have enough space? Do you need a dust cover? do you prefer the arm from VPI or Rega in terms of adjustment and cartrige choices? Is quality/ finish important?...my 2cents..

Have plenty of room, dust cover is optional, don’t know enough to say which arm or cartridge I need/want.   Any help,would be appreciated. 

vpi prime is tempting, i had recently the same dilemma.  Coins:  the arm is not very stable.  The temptation for upgrade is big: sds controller, better arm, .....record clamp.

I finally choose the p10.  a killer for its price ( in europe).

You'll need to hear them both I think.  The Rega is fast, tight, and so, so rhythmically engaging.  On the right LP it leaves you on the edge of your seat, quite breathless (this happened to me just last week - I felt like I'd gone back in time).  It also manages to get "inside" the music like little else I've heard and can pick up subtleties and nuances like little else.  It will not add anything like warmth or pleasant colouration. It's very pure, but maybe lacks some romance that you get with other decks. It's so enjoyable it makes me wonder just how much better is the Naiad at a mooted £30K.  Oh, and the ceramic platter is utterly exquisite -  no wonder it makes up the lions share of the cost of the deck, and is also a feature of the Naiad.  It's quite unlike anything else out there, and a supremely elegant thing in its own right.

While I've heard a number of VPIs over the years, I have not heard a VPI Prime, but if it's reputed to be in the same ballpark then it must definitely be worth hearing. But if it's anything like earlier VPis then it will somewhat different, and a bit more sober and straight-laced in character. It does look more like a "proper" turntable and a bit beefier as well. The 3D printed tonearm wand sounds rather interesting too.

hi Zackwater -- if i may ask, why these two options only?

i feel the linn will come back on the table....

I tried the SPL phonos before- it was really nice with my Dynavector and LP12!

joe9407 posted:

hi Zackwater -- if i may ask, why these two options only?

May be a terrible reason but the rp10 and the prime are the two lines carried by my favorite two shops.  The reviews seem solid for either model.  It may be shallow, but I’ll just don’t like the looks of the Linn plus the price in the USA is out of sight.  I’m comfortable with the prices of the two models I’m down to. 

I can vouch for a Rega RP10 - one word of advice - Aphelion is the carridge to get.

Apheta left me a bit cold and unmoved, so promptly upgraded it to an Aphelion, when one of the channels on the Apheta failed.

For the similar cost, I thought the RP10 gave superior sound to the LP12 .... which is why I purchased the Rega - as opposed to the more expensive Akurate level LP12

Perhaps the LP12 may come into its own, with more upgrades.... but then you end up spending crazy amounts for slight improvements in sound quality ..... law of diminishing returns!

value wise .... RP10 is difficult to better at the price.

I didn’t get the opportunity to compare against the VPI Prime .... which seems to get rave reviews.

Unfortunately, the dealer wanted me to buy without auditioning or comparison... so I went elsewhere and got the Rega ... which sold itself on listening ????

I wouldn’t buy the VPI based solely on magazine reviews.

Just when I thought I’m done with vinyl a thread like this comes up

So much temptation!!!

analogmusic posted:

Just when I thought I’m done with vinyl a thread like this comes up

 

There's allready plenty of vinyl threads on the internet

Its beyond me why would a new thread dated yesterday make your thoughts change as if surpricing ?

Your birthday yesterday perhaps ?

Or not the right clothes available ?

Remember to look like you have money if you go shopping 

It was Richard Dane's review of the RP10.

Over the years I've learnt that when Richard Dane gives his opinion on a piece of hi-fi, it is something special, in terms of what I am personally looking for.

engagement, Rhythmic ability, these are the things that get my attention.

analogmusic posted:

It was Richard Dane's review of the RP10.

Over the years I've learnt that when Richard Dane gives his opinion on a piece of hi-fi, it is something special.

 

Citing or quote others seem to be your most important way of making decisions

Per, your post was obviously designed to be inflammatory. Just leave it be.

Thank you.

I'd add though, that reviews from reliable sources, like for instance my dealer, "the ear" website, or members of the forum who know what they are talking about, or whatever it may be, can only be an encouragement to audition the kit in a showroom.

Sometimes when it is not possible once takes a gamble and purchases the kit, and I've never really been disappointed.... certainly the 250 DR was very special from the moment I switched it on - and I had no patience to audition before buying. I just wanted it.

So thanks to the praise of the RP10, now I am curious about it.... 

analogmusic posted:

It was Richard Dane's review of the RP10.

Over the years I've learnt that when Richard Dane gives his opinion on a piece of hi-fi, it is something special, in terms of what I am personally looking for.

engagement, Rhythmic ability, these are the things that get my attention.

 

Fair enough

I would have expected these abilities in place allready, afterall its a TT/Cart in the 6-7K€ region, for me the attention is there  but $$$ not available

Cheaper Rega TT does it for me, it has plenty of prat

Funny as I have read elsewhere someone preferred RP8 against RP10 both compared silmoustanely, perhaps it was not with Aphelion though ?

Though one!

I have a VPI (Classic 3) and a RP10.

The VPI is great – I like the "old" metal arm wand and like the "bulkyness" of the player – it's a real machine. BUT I'm not toooo much of a fan of uni-pivot arms, plus the VPIs tend to make you tune-here-and-there-and-buy-upgrades-once-and-then. You will often have great excuses why something does not sound "soooooo" great. But hey, that's what Naim is all about...

The RP10 – is a super-no-nonsense-player. It simply works. The only thing you can tune besides the cartridge (go for the Aphelion if money allows) are the feet (would stick to the metal-rubber ones). Cartridges (Rega) are self aligning (3 pin). VTA is fixes. 

My choice: RP10.

As for Rega RP and Planar range, I thought "RP" was out beeing replaced with "Planar" ?

This seem to have stopped by the latest Planar 6 ?

Another consideration between the two turntables, I live in the USA.   If I were in Europe then the rp10 would be considerable less.   The price in the USA with Apheta 2 is $6695,  with Aphelion $9495, and  $5495 no cartridge. The VPI prime is $3999 no cartridge, the vpi prime signature is $5999 no cartridge.  All of these prices are list, so in the real world take 20% off on either brand.  

Zackwater, will your US Rega dealer give you 20% off on the RP10?

The discount is the same for either brand.  The point is I’m comparing rp10 to “nearly” the vpi prime signature not the regular prime.  

I'd try to get a listen first. You may well love one over the other, in which case comparisons of minor cost differences become moot.