Upgrade Itch
Posted by: Andres Herrera on 09 February 2016
Ok I am having a bit of an upgrade itch for my vinyl playback and would like some thoughts on the subject.
my current system is:
Rega RP3
Elys 2 Cartridge
Stageline N preamp
Supernait 2
Focal Aria 936 speakers
I tried the rega phono mm put found that it had great clarity but lacked the warmth of the Naim Stageline. I was wondering if I could get some better High tones changing the cartridge, would it be worthwhile? I was thinking of a linn adikt or orthfone 2m black.
Any thoughts greatly appreciated.
With your amp and speakers, I'd be looking at an RP8 or 10.
HH is about right. I added a Dynavector to a P5 for about more clout. But if you want some easy upgrades cost wise relative to black boxes, move up the TT ladder for small costs. RP8 was my next step which came with Apheta cartridge. A bit of a wow moment. I did this about a month before the 10 came out, unbeknown to me. Anyway the rest is history. Adding a Superline was also a biggie. You can step up the TT and cartridge for not much outlay. Try it and see how your speakers sound then.
Dave
Def what the fish and the bodger said. Save up for an RP 8.
RP8 with bundled Apheta (or is it Apheta 2 now?) and original Ios phonostage if you can find one, which has specific Apheta settings. Rega wallshelf too.
Naca5 on the SN2 if you haven't already, though I'm told other speaker wires are available.
Cheers, Chris
Other speaker wires? Surely not...
Yeah, that's what i've heard.
C.
I'd move up to RP10 - should match your SuperNait2.
as to a phono stage - Aria or Naim's own.
Right now I can't buy a new turn table (starting a new restaurant) but I was wondering if there was anything I can do to my current setup. I will be buying a new tt in the future since I have become addicted to this format!
In that case I'd say - leave it as it is and enjoy the music. Food is important as well.
I researched the vinyl thing to death recently . A nice upgrade would be to get a new cartridge, Exact 2 or Dynavector 10x5 by my research.
Others claim that by adding a TT-Psu and/or upgraded supplanted make a big difference
Again this is from a lot of reading-
1- New Cart
2- upgraded subplatter like groove tracer
3- tt-Psu
I ended up getting a VPI table, but I was looking at a RP3, with Exact and Groove tracer
As long as your present cartridge is in good condition, I would stick with it and save the money towards a new TT.
Andres, What's the RP3 sitting on?
Apart from that, linen napkins and friendly but hip staff who know when to back off.
C.
I would try the Rega TT PSU. Oh and the white belt if you haven't already. Agree on the NACA5 if not already in place as well.
I would suggest a HiCap on the Stageline, thus demanding less on the SN2.
Christopher_M posted:Andres, What's the RP3 sitting on?
Apart from that, linen napkins and friendly but hip staff who know when to back off.
C.
I tried putting in a picture but that didn't work. It sits on top of a stereo rack I have made.
Rega record players benefit from sitting on a light independent structure. This could be a lightweight coffee table or purpose built wall shelf. Rega make one.
C.
Wow! Suggestions to bump right up from a RP3 to a RP8 or 10. Nothing like spending other folks money.
I'd ditch the Elys cart and demo one more dynamic on your RP3. Easily done. You might be surprised at the relative value available. Don't worry about spacers for now. You'll get the gist of alternative carts with the arm as is.
I think the Brubacca's proposed list of options is valid and the suggestion of a Dynavector 10x5 cart would be a logical first step.
It would need a 2mm spacer but this shouldn't present a major issue.
Ok thinking outside the box.. Move to seperates and leave the turntable/cartridge/arm as is.. You might get an enjoyable performance lift from your vinyl and other sources? Just a thought....
I would rather have an Elys2 on a better deck than a better cart on the RP3.
Notwithstanding the RP3 would benefit anyway from a better cart such as the exact or the likes but I'd assume he wants to keep his deck and a white belt and , TTPSU and wall shelf (if possible ) would be definitely the way to go before any cart upgrade.
I have a good understanding of the matter as I once had a P3/24 PSU , exact ,wall shelf and stageline. The belt was the latest addition and really made clearly audible improvements.
I bought later an RP3 with just the elys2 ,not on a shelf, before getting massive improvements with a vintage LP12 with an AT120E cart .
Before I ditched the Elys2 I think I'd want to revisit the Fono. Rega make it very easy for us IMO if you match their stuff together.
C.