Rega recordplayers

quote:

---

Just curious if anyone has made the leap from a P3 to either a P25 or P9? If so....?????

---

The following applies to the original P9 – I have not heard the new one properly.

I dem’d the P25 and P9, and IMHO the P9 is a hell of a lot better – The thing the P9 is so good at is pitch and timing, and the P25 really helped isolate this.

quote:

---

Also interested if you've done the LP12 to P9 thing

---

I went from a 87 (i.e. pre Circus) Valhalla’d LP12 / Ittok to the P9, and also dem’d the P9 against a LP12 / Geddon / Aro – I obviously chose the P9, but there is still something very special about the LP12. I am in no doubt that the P9 is the more “accurate” sounding deck, its pitch stability is in a different league – just play some solo piano for proof. I would also argue that the P9 does timing more accurately – the LP12 seems to put its own gentle shuffle rhythm onto things to a small degree, which can sound stunning on some stuff, yet can obviously screws other things up beyond belief. My feeling is that all subchassis decks do this - if you have any knowledge of sequencing packages such as Cubase think of it as a subtle groove quantise . On the other hand the LP12 does have a much bigger, lusher, and weightier sound, something as a Kan user that I really miss.

I would like to re-evaluate things now that the Lingo has been fixed by Mr Weeks – IMHO the Geddon, Valhalla etc are completely useless as they can only play the 33rpm half of a record collection. Linn’s 45 adapter pulley is one of the most stupid devices so far invented by mankind.

The P9 is about 90% non-ferrous which if your system is setup to benefit from this is obviously another advantage. It is also as near to plug and play as any vinyl front end ever can be.

I honestly don’t know which is ultimately the better deck. It’s also largely a system matching thing – if you want to tighten things up get the P9, if you want more weight and scale get a LP12. They both play music big time. I could happily live with either (assuming the LP12 plays 45s).

Tony.

Hi,
I have owned an LP12, P3, and now have the new P9 with the RB1000 arm. IMHO, the P9 is a superb TT, very musical and excellent timing. It has a crisp sound that is noticible on solo piano and guitar music. I recently listened to Gary Burton and Ralph Towner and was astonished with the detail. It is not as "lush" as the LP12, but equally enjoyable. It fills the holes left by the P3, which sounded thin especially on some of my jazz recordings. Setup was a breeze and the PSU allows 33 and 45rpm playback. I agree with all the comments Tony gave in the previous post. You really can not go wrong. BTW, my setup is CDX/XPS/52/250.
Happy listenning!
Smiglass

Had a P3 for about 3 months (looked after it for a friend). Bloody fine deck and an absolute bargain.

P9 has all the qualities of the P3 but improves upon them. I can't throw anymore light on the comments already made so far in the thread.

LP12 v P9. Chalk and cheese. LP12 big and 'heavy' sounding, but not slow. P9 lighter and more accurate sounding. I like them both but would find the maintainance of the LP12 a pain in the arse.

P9 is cheaper and is my choice for a decent vinyl front end. Of course, there are some bargains to be had on the 2nd hand LP12 market.

I have a LP12 and a P9... and a PT Export SMEIV

The LP12 is about to be sold.. So will the PT.

The main reason is the plug and play and the build quality of the Rosewood Rega.. prefer maple though! To be honest I just can be arsed with all the faffing now.

I have also just got hold of a Mana Sound Shelf (Ebay £172) which the P9 will sit on... Bargins can be had on Loot... for both LP12 and P9. The P9 was the first/only one I saw 2-3 month ago and I snapped it up for £600. ;-)

John
Shore

Redeye

give me a call one of these evenings if you want to chat about P9 sound, LP12, and the Xerses.

There's probably a Xerses knocking around if you're interested - and before you ask no its not mine!

Rico - SM/Mullet Audio

Redeye:

I've got both of the tables and find both to be quite enjoyable in their own way. Tony L's description about the sound between the two decks is spot on. Horses for courses.

Having said that though, I would also say that the combo of an LP12/Aro/Armageddon/Prefix/Helikon SL has got to be the best combination that I have ever heard on a TT.

I haven't gotten around to trying some of the better cartidges on my P9 yet, but I'm hopeful. I like the stone ax simplicity of the P9 and would ditch the LP12 if I could find a cartridge that could sound as good as the LP12/Helikon combo.

Arthur Bye

Not worth it. In fact I think the P3 grooves a lot better than the P25. The P25 is too refined and tame in comparison. Did you read my lengthy whinge about this awhile back?

The P9 is sheer marvelous magic. In addition to the previous comments, I'd like to add:

The P9 is crazysexycool whilst being funkycoolfresh.

Art Dudley, can I have a job now?

Will probably give you a bell on the weekend...promise not to disrupt the Super 12 shindig tho.

I've always been into the LP12 but it is a bit of a fookin' fiddle. P9 appeals for its plug'n'play character.

Thanks to all who replied

redeye