Done ????

RP10/Apheta 2 purchase complete and the new deck should arrive from the distributor, early next week.

Thank you to everyone for all your kind input and support, which enabled me to come to the right decision.

Being unable to compare the decks side by side, literally meant that I simply couldn’t have done it without you! ????

Mr Frog posted:

Done ????

RP10/Apheta 2 purchase complete and the new deck should arrive from the distributor, early next week.

Thank you to everyone for all your kind input and support, which enabled me to come to the right decision.

Being unable to compare the decks side by side, literally meant that I simply couldn’t have done it without you! ????

 

a rigid platform, like 3mn granite one, or 5mn very hard wood, will give a great uplift to sound quality, specially with non suspended deck like the rega. I have done myself the comparison and i advise you that strongly.

Some say that the rp10 sounds  better without the cover and the part which goes with the cover.

In the future you can upgrade also the cartridge and phono stage, because the arm can work with better cartridges and go further.  But the stock one, with apheta 2 and aria, is already a great combo and will outperform your digital combo easily.

Well done [@mention:13111295361132226]

RP10 works well on a rigid glass shelf too. I keep the lid (protection) on and leave it open when playing LPs.

In theory, having the outer plinth and lid on should make little or no difference as they are not connected to the inner plinth.  And, some argue that because of this you might even get better performance with the lid down during play.  I haven't done any tests on this though, although I do use the RP10 with the outer plinth so I can use the dustcover to prevent accidents and dust when not in use.

Congratulations Mr Frog. Do please post some feedback when you get the RP10 and how you find it.

I consider my RP10 to be the final piece of my hi fi jigsaw. I have a 282/250/HC/CDX2/XPS DR Naim set up with the RP10, Dali Rubicon 6 speakers, Naim A5 cable and a Hi Line interconnect  and for the first time ever I am content and don't have any real itch to upgrade. At some point I'm sure I will DR the 250 and the HC or even change to a Supercap but I sit now with my music loving every minute of whatever I am listening to. I've spent a hell of a lot over the last 2 or 3 years so now just need to sit and pay off the RP10 and enjoy it all. 

The only downside to the RP10 is that it sounds better (to my ears anyway) than the CDX2 so I regret buying so many albums over the years on CD rather than vinyl. Consequently, I've started "retro" buying such albums on vinyl - and that's expensive!!!!! It's a nice problem to have though because I've properly fallen in love with vinyl again and the amazing packaging and artwork that you see. Check out the Rodney Matthews artwork on the latest Magnum album, Lost on the Road to Eternity for example. Marvelous stuff. 

Regarding lid down or up. When I was using a Townshend Rock with an Aro on it (and no trough) I had a lid attached to a wooden frame that rested on the Fraim cups via 3 domed nuts but didn’t touch the turntable which sat on bellows feet on the Fraim Lite shelf. I could play the deck lid down or up, lid removed and frame removed though it tended to be all or nothing so I only used lid down or the whole lot removed. With everything removed there did seem to be some benefit with a slghtly lower noise floor, however, on piano music there was a hint of instability audible on sustained notes which was reduced beyond perception with lid down. My system is between NBLs and the deck 2 feet from one of them. There is a lot of difference between my Rock with Aro and an RP10 but if you want to put the lid effect to the test, Pollini playing Liszt’s sonata in B minor is a good place to start.

I’ve had the RP10 for just over 24 hours and I have to say ..... it sounds fantastic.

Really pleased with the outcome and no nagging doubts,  in respect of any additional upgrades.

Despite what dealers may have claimed, the RP10 clearly outclasses the basic Majik level LP12 ..... which I guess really needs a better PSU and arm and cartridge etc etc .... and thereafter, other bits and pieces ...

At least no such issues (changing components to raise performance) with the Rega - which is an awesome final deck, straight out of the box????

i am very glad you enjoy the rega p10.  Putting an lp , putting down the arm and listen to the lp which is turning is a magic moment.  I am quite sure it can compete or even outperform your digital source now.   Am i right?  it is what you were searching for.

Absolutely ????

Just enjoy the groove Mr F 

Mr Frog, very pleased to hear it has hit the spot for you.  I had no doubt in my mind that it would - I've heard a lot of high end turntables, and many of them are impressive performers, but the RP10 does something quite special.  Next step: buying lots more LPs!

Despite their long lineage turntables are, like other hifi components, subject to improvements that come from developments in materials and construction methods (for example the development of bonding methods). Despite the intention to go for the "last purchase" any real hifi enthusiast may ultimately be tempted to go back on the upgrade trail. For this reason in my view one of the main considerations in choosing a TT would be to go to a manufacturer committed to exploiting these developments. In this particular case the manufacturers being discussed have been around a while by applying up to dat tech.  After that it is entirely a matter of taste - hence, despite thousands of advocates, people like Lindsay have never been persuaded by Linn. In my own case I was a convert on first audition.  My best advice would be to find some good dealers and have some serious demo sessions with your two favourite contenders. Then buy the Linn 

Agreed.  I have no problem with upgrades hence the Vetere PSU on my Xerxes in fact in that respect I’m a staunch defender of Linn.  In my case I just preferred what came from Roksan and Avid.  Yes listening is everything.   

I think both decks are amazing ......... I have a very old LP12 ..... Valhalla/Ittok/OC7 ......... took it out of the loft, put it on a a level support ..... and after 28yrs it still sounded very very good........... I will get  a service and a new cartridge. I think regarding this question ........ the owner would be delighted with either. I am not technical .... but I would imagine the RP10 would be more sensitive to the support and location than the LP12. Going back many years when I changed from a Rega Planar 3 to a an LP12 using the same arm and cartridge ..... there was no contest........obviously things have changed ..... but the old LP12 is still very good even a mid 90's example - mine has a relaxed open sound with surprisingly solid bass.

Excellent news Mr Frog. And you have an Aria phono stage I believe so it'll be even better than mine which is on a standard Rega Phono MC so I'm sure it sounds amazing.

Other than buying an Aria I expect this turntable to see me out in a box without any further additions. I've got my first record fair on Saturday since buying the RP10 - can't wait to add to the collection. 

bluedog posted:

Despite their long lineage turntables are, like other hifi components, subject to improvements that come from developments in materials and construction methods (for example the development of bonding methods). Despite the intention to go for the "last purchase" any real hifi enthusiast may ultimately be tempted to go back on the upgrade trail. For this reason in my view one of the main considerations in choosing a TT would be to go to a manufacturer committed to exploiting these developments. In this particular case the manufacturers being discussed have been around a while by applying up to dat tech.  After that it is entirely a matter of taste - hence, despite thousands of advocates, people like Lindsay have never been persuaded by Linn. In my own case I was a convert on first audition.  My best advice would be to find some good dealers and have some serious demo sessions with your two favourite contenders. Then buy the Linn 

i would be a good idea to read all the topic, Mr Bluedog. Mr Frog has already choosed the deck, the rp10, and was 100% right to do it  vs the standard linn project entry level majik.  As for better advanced linn lp12, it is another subject...but more expensive vs the rp10.

Richard Dane posted:

Mr Frog, very pleased to hear it has hit the spot for you.  I had no doubt in my mind that it would - I've heard a lot of high end turntables, and many of them are impressive performers, but the RP10 does something quite special.  Next step: buying lots more LPs!

Thanks Richard, you're absolutely right ... it certainly is an awesome piece of kit and the very fact that you also have invested in one, speaks volumes 

Like you, I'm currently using it with the outer plinth and from the way it is designed, it is completely isolated from the turntable itself. It's a shame that other 'high end' turntables don't have a similar solution and seem to rely on great big perspex 'aquarium' sized boxes to sit over the top of the deck (not the most visually appealing) - resembling a museum display cabinet!

I note that Rega do aluminium 'rigid foot mounts for the skeletal TT and wondered if anyone had any positive experience of these?

My RP10 is currently on sat on a glass shelf (Atacama stand on concrete carpeted floor) and seems absolutely fine - though I may give the wall shelf a try. That being said, there is zero impact even if 'jumping up and down' in front of the deck, with the music playing (remember the 'pogo' from the Punk era?)

Tapping the outer plinth or even the deck itself (with an LP playing), transmits absolutely ZERO noise through the speakers!!!!! I certainly don't recall this, with the turntable that I owned almost 20 years ago (LP12, Trampolin, Ekos, Klyde, Lingo) 

I guess it's a credit to the spectacular Rega design philosophy and shows that both the RP8 and RP10 are clearly excellent "vibration measuring machines" 

Thanks again to everyone for all your support and guidance in assisting me to make the right choice.

I still have the utmost respect for the Linn LP12, but just feel that it has become a very expensive icon and that better performance (at respective price levels) can be had elsewhere, from other manufacturers. 

When I owned mine 20 years ago, there was probably nothing else out there to compete and it certainly was a fine deck .... but technology has moved on and I can't help wondering if the wooden plinth and suspended sub chassis design, is really necessary or still valid these days . Perhaps Linn may offer a radical new skeletal design at some point in the future .........

Even though the LP12 Klimax level may offer better performance, I'm sure that the difference won't be stunningly obvious (night and day) and I guess it's the law of diminishing returns - $10,000's for a 2% improvement.

At least the RP10 won't become the inevitable "Trigger's Broom" (Only Fools & Horses) .... with numerous component changes throughout its life 

Congratulations Mr Frog a decent TT is the most important part of any system IMO. It is a strange thing I really admire the Rega RP8 & 10 and would love to try one but I am attached to my LP12 more than any other piece of kit I own,  I know it is old fashioned and could probably be bettered  but I think I'll hang on to the old fruit box for a while longer.

Good for you ....enjoy ????

Congrats Mr Frog. It’s always nice to have a new toy to play with. The latest Rega decks have really created a stir. But like B the B I am wed to my lovely Linn.

Enjoy,

Stu.

I have no doubt you will be delighted ..... keep us posted