Rega Advice Please

[RaoulJuke]

Hi there,

I have been into my vinyl now for a long time, but have been cheapening the experience with a "hand me down" set up. Currently i have a CDC ST530 Turntable, a Sherwood S2620 CP amp and a set of Wharfedale Linton 3 speakers. It's literally a mongrel set up of generous hand me downs & opportunist gathering.

I've decided its time for my ears to start listening like a man, and start upgrading the system to something i can be proud of.

Money unfortunately is an issue, so i am looking at rebuilding piece by piece, with a turntable first on that list.

Budget would sit around the $500 mark, give or take. I have done a little research and read some healthy reviews of the Rega Plancar series.

From what i can see a Rega RP1 can usually be purchased new for around $550 and seems to be a front runner for the affordable, yet classy turntable range.

Can anyone vouch for this? I have also seen a RP 2 & a RP 3 go for a similar price, but 2nd hand ( older models ). Can anyone educate me to the best move i can make from here? Am i better of going new with the RP1? or better off spending my money on the 2 or 3 series second hand. Does anyone else have any similar buget suggestions i could also consider, or even what amps usually go well with these things

Any advice would be great - i want to make sure i make the right decision. I am in Brisbane and if anyone knows a store that offer great prices with with great loyal service, that would be great - as i am looking for a store i can trust and help me build this affordable dream machine.

Help me become an audible man this Christmas

[6L6]

A secondhand Planar 3 or P3 will always be better than an RP1. Better platter, better arm, the P3 has a better motor mount.

Get a decent table then get an awesome cartridge.

[RaoulJuke]

Thanks for the advice.

So if i were able to get a 2nd hand Rega Planar 3 with a Moving Magnet Garrott P-77 cartridge and standard Rega arm for the same price , this would definitely be better than a brand new RP1?

What should i expect to be the improvement on the 3 between the two? is it just better sound and warmth, and is the improvement worth the risk of not purchasing a new one with a guarantee?

Plan on getting on quite soon so want to make sure i make the right call. In that price range, there is no other alternatives worth looking at as well? Or is the Rega a very good safe choice?

Thanks again for the advice, is great to be able to have people in the new who can guide me with this - much appreciated!

[kevinkr]

I would think a P3 in good running order would be very low risk, and should provide more detail, better control in the bass, and a bunch of other more subtle improvements of a subjective nature.

Parts are probably available should they ever be needed.

All my tables are used. (Well they haven't been made in 44yrs, so.. several TD-124)

Hard to imagine much more bang for the buck at this price point unless you are willing to put in a fair amount of work restoring a Thorens or Lenco..

Both www.vinylengine.com and www.lencoheaven.net might be good resources to check out. You will need to join, and I recommend both highly.

[RaoulJuke]

Thanks again for the advice, pretty sure i am going to go for the 3.

Just to play devils advocate though, does anyone know much about the Project Debut III's?
I've also read a few promising reviews on those and price wise they look similar. The one bonus on these seems to be a cleaner finish with a open variety of colors as well. This has obvious appeal as i having a machine that looks as sexy as it sounds, but if the sound difference's are in different leages to each other - i'm going to go with the better sound.

I have to admit, its a hard thing to get used to though picking a 2nd hand option over a brand new - old habits die hard.

The RP3 comes with a Moving Magnet Garrott P-77 cartridge. Are these any good or not? which Cartridge would be recommended for this machine?

Sorry to be repeatitive - very new to turntables and want to make sure im 100% comfortable with my choice. Once i get it i plan to have it a real long time so want to make sure i have no regrets

[RaoulJuke]

i just came across this review for the project debut III and it seemed to rate it quite favorably against the RP3, even with the standard Ortofon cartridge installed


....And that red finish is so damned sexy, it's SURE to make it all sound just a little better

Thoughts? I'm planning on getting one by Christmas - so i need as much help as possible!

[Nanook]

RaoulJuke:

The Rega Planar 3 had been made for something in the neighbourhood of 25 years without any major upgrades. That says something about how good it was in it's last incarnation. The newest tables, referred to as RP3 (I think) has a few upgrades, but is not available at anywhere near $500 (unless a new blem or open box one could be found). The Garrott Bros. P77 is an excellent sounding cartridge. Depending on what arm is on the table, buying it is a no-brainer (if a Rega RB250 or RB300 , but not perhaps the RB200 which is a heavier "S" arm type.)

There are many future "upgrades" that you could consider when funds become available. Better pulleys, dual frequency motor controllers, upgrade plinths, tonearm re-wire, improved platter and sub-platter, improved bearing, etc are available. So although they appear to be simple, they can be modified to get a lot higher performance out of them. None of the upgrades are particularly expensive though except perhaps new subplatter and new platter. Most of these upgrades can be done by someone with 2 left thumbs (like me ).

Regarding the red finish, that can easily be accomplished on a Rega. Remove everything from the plinth (motor, arm, wiring, main bearing , sub-platter and platter) and sand down the existing finishon the Rega. Use a good primer and spray it whatever shade you like (Personally I've always been partial to the Lime green Rega used on some of its tables). If not comfortable spraying the plinth (with a spray can), go to an automotive body shop or furniture refinisher.

Kevin:ever notice we often end up in the same threads?

[kevinkr]

Originally Posted by Nanook

RaoulJuke:

<snip>
Kevin:ever notice we often end up in the same threads?

Pretty cool I'd say.. Must have something in common.. If you are ever in this neck of the woods look me up, I suspect we would have a good time.

[6L6]

The Debut has an inferior platter (cast metal instead of glass) and a notably inferior arm (because the arm is really what makes the Rega so darn good...) than a P3.

I would choose a used Planar 3 over a RP1 without hesitation. Again, for the exact reasons why the Planar is better than the Debut -- Platter and arm... The RP1 doesn't have a glass platter, and has a different arm.

[Nanook]

6L6:

The Debut has an inferior platter (cast metal instead of glass) and a notably inferior arm (because the arm is really what makes the Rega so darn good...) than a P3.

I would choose a used Planar 3 over a RP1 without hesitation. Again, for the exact reasons why the Planar is better than the Debut -- Platter and arm... The RP1 doesn't have a glass platter, and has a different arm.

A metal platter by default is not inferior, but perhaps The Debut III's is. I think the bearing is better on the Planar 3, and you point out, it is the arm that is the stand-out.

Kevin: Where's your neck of the woods? This is where I'm at.