Rega Turntable.
Posted by: realmadspur on 22 December 2015
Hi all. I jump in here once in awhile and enjoy the information freely given.
My question is, I have a Rega Planar 3 circa 1989 with a RB300 arm, which I'd like to use again. Obviously, it would need a service, new cartridge (currently fitted with a Linn K5), my local dealer reckons the cartridge would need replacing, although it didn't have a great deal of use. My question is spend my money on a full service, or perhaps buy the RP1 performance pack, I'm gonna have to get a phone stage as I now own a Untilite. Any thoughts? As I'm not sure what route to take.
I think I'm right in saying that a Naim phono stage can't be powered by a Unitilite, in which case it's going to be an expensive option once you've added a power supply. So a self powered phono stage such as a Rega Fono probably makes more sense.
Correct - UnitiLight has only line level inputs.
Rega Fono is a good, inexpensive phono stage - used to have one, before an upgrade bug struck 
Hi Spur,
Rega Bias or Elys cartridge into Rega Fono into your Naim box. All else is flim-flam for as and when.
Chris
Some other things I'd do: ask your dealer to look at the oil level in the bearing. Get a new belt. If it's a white belt then so much the better. Stand the record player on something light.
C.
The performance pack is probably almost the same as a full service - it includes belt (needed), cartridge (probably needed) and a new platter mat (?).However as you already realize need a phono stage- probably the rega is your best bet. Although I do happen to have an old lafayette tube unit ,thats not being used - I think it uses 12ax7 *L*- not really trying to get rid of it
The RP1 performance pack comes with a differently weighted Bias 2, not sure if it's suitable for use with anything but the RP1. I would get an Elys 2 on this and buy a Fono MM.
Do you have the old floating motor on yours? If so it might be worth getting the caps checked on the motor board, as the older ones tend to crack and under-perform. This can result in either slowing of playback or in some cases, the motor spins the wrong way.
it's more £££ but as an rp3 user, i'd always recommend people steer clear of the rega carts and go straight for something like a dynavector 10x5
What's the latest?
C.
If you came to me, I'd recommend the following:
* Rega Elys2 cart (the K5 may still be working but the aged internals have aged, used or not) - £120 or so
* Motor Upgrade for Planar3, get dealer to throw in simple service to check oil and bearing - £90 or so for the motor upgrade
* New belt, preferably the white one - £20? (Can't remember prices today, sorry)
* Rega Fono Mini A2D - £89, or if you're feeling flush Rega Fono - £198
* Rega Couple2 - £100
The Elys2 is a really nice cartridge, much better than the original Elys by a long way. The Mini A2D is far better than it has any right to be for the price and allows you to digitize any favourite records if you wish. The motor upgrade improves the deck substantially with better pitch stability, lower noise, and improved dynamic contrast and resolution. The white belt brings minor improvements too. The Couple 2 is just the sensible interconnect to use in this application. This lot will be better than an RP1, even with the performance pack fitted and cost way less (can't count the cost of the phono stage and interconnect because you need them for the RP1 as well).
Regards,
Frank.
All opinions are my own and do not reflect the opinion of any organisations I work for, except where this is stated explicitly.
Actually I found I preferred the original Couple interconnect against the recent Couple 2
(or Couple eqvivalent on the bay which is less than half retail of Couple 2)
I have all 3 variants
Been away awhile. Think I'll go Frank's way. Thank you all kind comments. Guess I will be doing a bit of overtime then. Get the vinyl spinning again!
@b_lund, there is much to that, but I have got used to the Couple2 now and find that it has some nice attributes which the more direct older variants missed, particularly when used in high end scenarios. The Couple2's extra resolution and scale is welcome.
@realmadspur - good luck! The vinyl releases are my problem, they're coming thick and fast, not cheap, beautifully made (in the main) and I'm running out of shelf space...!
Regards,
Frank.
All opinions are my own and do not reflect the opinion of any organisations I work for, except where this is stated explicitly.
Given Rega's emphasis on their plinths being lighter and stiffer than ever before I find I'm now wondering how good a RP1 would be against a 1989 Planar 3, with the same cartridge and same phonostage. Frank? Anyone?
Chris
The Planar 3 would still be better imo. The 300 tonearm is far superior to the 101 fitted to the RP1. An RP3 or 6 would be the way forward for you. The TTPSU makes the world of difference, so if you're planning to add that at some point it makes more sense to start with an RP6 with a lesser cartridge, i.e. a Carbon than to buy an RP3 with an Elys 2 and then buy a TTPSU for it later.