something missing in Rega P3 cartridge

Posted by: Boz on 01 November 2001

I recently purchased a new Rega P3 and had the standard "super-bias" cartridge installed but being "non shielded" and the fact that I have little choice but to place the P3 on top of my SoundStyle rack I get a major hum at even very low volume levels.

I took it back to the dealer and they had the same problem due to the fact it is reasonably close to the CD player which is obviously generating an electical field.

I had an Ortofon 520 mk2 (shielded) installed and whilst it is fairly detailed all the musicality/warmth and most importantly bass has all but gone (yes it has been set up correctly)compared to my CDX

My system is Naim CDX, NAC 92/NAP 90.3, Royd Abbot speakers and Naim speaker cable.

Has anyone experienced similar problems and have they found a shielded cartridge that works better with the P3 ?

My dealer says that spending much more than £70 on a cartridge for the P3 could be "overkill"

Any advice much appreciated....

Boz

Posted on: 01 November 2001 by Mike Sae

Is there any way you can get your P3 off the rack? I had similar shielding problems. Plunking my P3 on an Ikea Lack took care of that. You might want to add spikes to the Lack if you go this route.
As a secondary source, I'm not too concerned with what the P3 sits on.

Another option- trade places with the NAC 92 and CDX? The CDX may even sound better on the lower shelf.

Your dealer is right, I wouldn't throw too much money into carts at the moment. If you're willing to spend >70 on a cart, It might be better to buy the Rega wall shelf, killing 2 birds with one stone.

Best,

Mike

Posted on: 02 November 2001 by Chris L

with Mike, as I think he's right about getting the P3 onto some other support - the hum you get could be at least partially mechanical, in which case a new cartridge would not fully solve the problem.

However, I just wanted to disagree with your dealer - I'd say that for a P3, £70 would be the least you should spend on a cartridge to get the absolute best from it. It's a terrific TT, far higher fidelity than is suggested by it's price point.

Just MHO of course

Chris L

Posted on: 02 November 2001 by Steve Toy

The cartridge is simply picking up the hum of transformers transmitted through the rack.
I had the same problem with my P25, in fact it was much worse than with my P2 that it replaced.
The Rega wallshelf @ 38 GBP cured the problem.

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

Posted on: 02 November 2001 by Craig B

Have to agree with the others here. Moving my spare room Planar 2 off of the electronics shelf, and on to a dedicated support (also the cheap as dirt, but super VFM, Lack) made a big difference in hum levels and sound quality (especially in the area of bass note quality over quantity). This, in the context of using a lowly Audio-Technica AT95E cartridge.

If you don't have the necessary floor space nearby to accomodiate a Lack (which my trusty Ikea catalogue tells me is L 21 5/8" x W 21 5/8" x H 17" 3/4) or similar sized dedicated turntable support, then I would second the nomination of the Rega turntable wall shelf. At 38 GBP, the Rega would be my first choice, especially if your walls are of the solid, structural support persuation, and you intend to stick with Rega tables.

Mike's suggestion to rearrange your rack's contents sounds like a good (ie. free) starting point. Also, the arrangement of your power cords, interconnects, and speaker wires can all have a noticeable effect on noise and hum levels particularly with vinyl sources.

Craig

Posted on: 03 November 2001 by Boz

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Chris L:

However, I just wanted to disagree with your dealer - I'd say that for a P3, £70 would be the _least_ you should spend on a cartridge to get the absolute best from it. It's a terrific TT, far higher fidelity than is suggested by it's price point.

Thanks for this reply, have you any specific cartridge recommendations you have used with the P3 ?

Boz

Posted on: 03 November 2001 by Chris L

quote:
Thanks for this reply, have you any specific cartridge recommendations you have used with the P3 ?

Well, no 'cause I used a P2. But, a good quality moving coil is the place to be looking. Although it's not all together the most popular choice, I had a Sumiko Blue Point Special on my P2 and, when properly set-up, it sounded superb.

As a more generally acceptable suggestion, I know a couple of people who use Dynavector cartridges one a DV 10X4MK-2 on a P2 and one a 20X-H in a P3. They are about 200ukp and 300ukp respectively. I marginally prefer the more expensive 20X-H, and know from hearing on an LP12 that the low output version (the 20X-L) is better still.

But get the TT properly supported before you spend more on a cartridge. Once you've done that, you're not far from Infidelity, who should be able give you at least dems of cartridges. Remember, what I wrote above is pure starting point, get whatever sounds best to you!

Chris L

P.S. I also used a 20 year old high output Supex cartridge for a couple of years, and that sounded great (until the cantilever finally died) but I doubt you'll find many of them floating around these days

Posted on: 03 November 2001 by Chris L

quote:
I have one hiding away, is it worth trying a retip ?

Well, Supex were good enough for Linn for quite a time (they used to make Linn's cartridges) so they must have done something right!

The problem with something like this is that, at the age of these things, you'd really need to be able to get the cantilever overhauled, and I always think that increases the risk of it ending up sounding very different - if, indeed, anyone would do it.

Plus, cartridge design and manufacture has moved on a bit since then, so I found that the Sumiko BPS was at least as good.

What I will say is that I found the presentation of the Supex rather laconic and easy going - it was not a hugely dynamic cartridge, and thus I didn't think it did the PRAT thing very well. But it was very musical. It would probably sound rather slow and flabby on, for example, an LP12 these days. Very easy to listen to, though, and very relaxing.

I haven't actually answered your question - if none of the above has put you off, then I'd say, if it didn't cost too much, and you can spare the cash for a bit of a stab in the dark, then give it shot - but if the cost is anywhere near a new good quality budget MC item, then I doubt it would be worth while.

Sorry for the rambling,

Chris L

Posted on: 25 February 2002 by Boz

I've let the P3/Ortofon 520 bed in and although it's a bit better I'm fundamentally underwhelmed compared to my CDX which has so much more detail (I had a Dual CS505-1 with OM10 before which was almost as good !)

I'm reticent to change the P3 every single thing I have read says it is an excellent turntable and to be honest for the amount of time I spend playing vinyl Vs CD couldn't justify an LP12

Upgrading amp combo next from 92/hi/90.3 to either a 102/180 or 82/250 (more likely the former) so re-visiting the cartridge upgrade scenario.

Is the Ortofon Turbo-1 MC cartridge and option and other than the suggestions on this post which have been really helpful does anyone have any more recommendations before I start demoing ???

Posted on: 25 February 2002 by Mike Sae

thanks for the update.

Did you ever get your P3 off your main rack?

Posted on: 26 February 2002 by Boz

No Mike as the hum disappeared completely with change to Ortofon from the Super Bias I have left the P3 where it is on top of my SO stand, will still consider moving it in the future however so thanks for the advice.

My wife was distinctly unimpressed when I suggested a rega shelf in her alcove which is already dominated by the 5 tier Sound Organisation stand.

What do you think about a MC cartridge ?