Question about Rega P25

Keep the Linn, it's fit and finish are much better than a P25.

Peter

Mike
Am I correct in thinking that you want a second system TT, not to simply replace the LP12 with a P25. If the former, a P3 (or better still, a SH Planar 3 with motor upgrade) is better VFM than a P25, provided the WAF is acceptable. You might even have enough cash spare to get a MC and phono stage. Having just gone from Planar 3 to LP12/Akito/DV17D2 (yeah, I know, currently racing Tony L to get a SH Aro), I think that the Rega is stunningly good value.
Simon

Guys,

I was thinking of this for a second system in the living room. The P3 would be the better (cheaper) solution, but I wanted something that my wife would like to look at too. The electronics would be a restored Fisher 400 all tube receiver, hence the need for a high output cartridge. In addition to looks, I still wanted something that sounded decent too. The Fisher is not slow and bloated, it actually is a pretty snappy sounding amp. I was just wondering if the Rega Exact, in combination with the P25, made music. BTW, my Linn will stay with my Naim system in my listening room.

Mike

If your wife likes the looks of the Fisher, a Garrard, Dual, or Thorens turntable would be more in order. IMO, the Rega cartridges are boring and expensive. Save your money and get a Grado.

I used a Fisher 400 for a short time. It was given to me because the left channel of the phono didn't work and the volume pot cut out intermittently. After cleaning the pot and fixing the cold solder joint it sounded great! What was most surprising was the FM section. I had a Magnum Dynalab ST-2 antenna and Linn Kans mated with it. If you hook up a decent aerial, you'll most likely be playing the radio, especially in a second system.

I sold the Fisher to a friend who uses it with a Dual 1219/Grado and it plays loud, sounds good, and looks great. And it still has the original tubes!

Ron The Mon,
Needle-Freak

After I posted I thought as much. i've shown pictures of the P25 to my wife and she's gone 'ooh, that look's nice' and I've shown it to her in real life and she's gone 'yuck'. FWIW she likes the looks and sounds of the Clearaudio range ... but we're hardly talking a budget solution. I have a Garrard 401, and it's everything but discreet in appearance, but I can see how it would be a good visual match for a vintage tube integrated. Another Linn might yet be the best solution.

Peter

Rega carts are expensive in the US, but I believe they are much less expensive in the UK. IIRC, the 75 UKP cartridge (Elys?) lists at $225 in the US.

In the UK, I've seen the $250 Grado advertised at 250 UKP.

The $250 Grado is far better than the $225 Rega, but in UKP, the Rega may give more VFM.

Phil

I may have come across speaking just price but the Grados work really well into tube gear. There is no impedence matching problems and hum and noise are a minimum. In old turntables such as a Dual/Garrard they are easy to set up too. Because of the shape of the Rega cartridge bodies, they physically don't fit in many older headshells and sometimes the cartridge tags aren't long enough.

I also think a cheap Grado would do the trick, not the $250 model.

Ron The Mon,
Needle-Freak