Rega TTs

Posted by: John on 11 June 2001

I did a demo on the Rega25 on the weekend and was very impressed at how is easily communicated music. The demo was far from ideal with a Nait3 and intros but I managed to get a good feel for what LPs sound like. I have no idea what would be revealed going to a 52/135/SBLs.

Has anyone done a comparison between the P3, P25 and P9? Are the differences significant? The dealer I went to only has the P25 so I might not get the chance to do a comparison. My instinct tells me I will want the P9 but are the benefits musical? What is the character of the benefits? The benefits of upgrading a CD player are getting closer to a truer analogue sound. With a TT you are already there so what are the benfits of the more expensive units?

Thanks
John

Posted on: 11 June 2001 by Tony L
quote:
Has anyone done a comparison between the P3, P25 and P9? Are the differences significant? The dealer I went to only has the P25 so I might not get the chance to do a comparison. My instinct tells me I will want the P9 but are the benefits musical?

I have done the above, and also compared the P9 to some other manufacturers offerings. The P25 is a very high value product, and to me is worth the additional outlay from the P3, which is obviously an absolute bargain. What the P9 gives over the P25 is a sense of real authority both in pitch and timing, as well as a good bit more detail. The P9 is fabulously pitch stable, and can reproduce timing like little else available. By comparison the P25 sounds muddled and vague.

I am a really tight git money wise, I honestly think most hi-fi is overpriced, often to a factor of about 4, this is why I hardly ever buy new - I did buy my P9 new, it is one of the very few hi-fi components that is genuinely worth the asking price. Bare in mind that Rega are currently working on a P9 replacement, so I would be inclined to wait around for a bit until parting with cash (unless you can get a really good deal on a old one).

Tony.

Posted on: 13 June 2001 by thomas
just a by-the-way, but over the weekend I replaced the original elys cartridge on my 2 year old p25 to a goldring 1042 and it has transformed it. From ordinary to genuinely "fuller",richer and better than my cd3.5. Even my (uninterested) partner said so!I'd recommend the hfn test record if you're investing in a new turntable, too.

t

Posted on: 13 June 2001 by John
I was seaching on the net for some reviews and found a couple that stated the Rega player run at 34 rpm and not 33-1/3. Does anyone know if this is true? Is this a big concern? This might give it a more exciting but artificial presentation.

John

Posted on: 13 June 2001 by Dev B
Tony,

What's the news?

Dev

Posted on: 13 June 2001 by Tony L
quote:
What's the news?

Dunno. All I have heard is that there is one in the pipeline, and that they have stopped shipping the existing one.

I wonder if the word "retrofitable" will be used at all.

Tony.

Posted on: 13 June 2001 by Steve Toy
I couldn't say for sure, but I reckon the former. I sometimes do A/B tests using the same piece of music on CD and on vinyl. It would sound a bit faster, and slightly higher in pitch on my P25 if it ran at 34 rpm, wouldn't it?
Well it doesn't, the pitch and speed are identical.
Posted on: 13 June 2001 by Tony L
quote:
I was seaching on the net for some reviews and found a couple that stated the Rega player run at 34 rpm and not 33-1/3. Does anyone know if this is true?

As far as I know all the Rega decks other than the P9 have a simple AC synchronous motor with no control circuitry. I assume this means there may be a little fluctuation dependant on mains quality. I would be incredibly surprised if Rega decks consistently ran fast. The pitch and timing on my P9 is rock solid, though that does obviously have the external motor control circuitry / PSU etc.

Tony.

Posted on: 13 June 2001 by Craig B
quote:
I was seaching on the net for some reviews and found a couple that stated the Rega player run at 34 rpm and not 33-1/3. Does anyone know if this is true?

I recently received a reply from Rega Customer Service to an e-mail that I sent in regarding the correct oil to use in a Planar 3 main bearing...

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 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.

I wonder how many fast dancing Regas have had the 80 weight oil replaced or topped up with a lighter oil?

Craig
wondering what the drop to ml conversion formula is confused

[This message was edited by Craig on THURSDAY 14 June 2001 at 05:23.]