I just got a rega planar 3 50th anniv w original exact cartridge. I m just not into the whole thing. Plus I cannot hear a difference...
I don't want to hijack the thread too much. This is my 1st incursion into vinyl in 30 years, absolutely not nostalgic as I remember the transition to cd as a great one, back in the 80's. For years, other audiophiles around me encouraged me to try it, so I bought the turntable, built the pearl3, bought 20 odd records..... And in the absence of something to motivate me, such as a hatred for digital, nostalgia or superior sound compared to my dac (tit for tat moneywise)....... I find it too expensive and inconvenient to throw more money at it.
Audio? Too expensive? Are you serious? You telling us? Done right an analog from end sounds extremely good. Different from digital... but IMHO worth every dollar that went into it.
If you're a hobbyist, then you find ways to lower the price... like the used Keel and Ekos-2 that are going into my LP12 next week.
If you're a hobbyist, then you find ways to lower the price... like the used Keel and Ekos-2 that are going into my LP12 next week.
Who is 'us'? I hope I am not against the church of vinyl. No, not audio, just my personal incursion into vinyl. I find it too expensive and I am not going down that road. I am all set up for hi end digital. That doesn't disqualify me as a hobbyist though. I am a psychologist who learned electronics to make amplifiers and speaker cabinets. I have a kit amp and a kit dac and I made my modular stereo rack.
'us'... this is after all the P3 PHONO PREAMP forum.... you figure the 'us' here are the most rabid pro LP users in the DIYAudio site.
I'm a physicist who learned (mostly digital) electronics to make a living. And when I came to the US in the early 70s, as a young teenager, I left some 200 books behind in the old country but I brought some 5 LPs with me. I still have them, playable too. I couldn't imagine living without a turntable and my records. ( OK, right now my TT is away for a week to get upgraded.... ).
Heck there are some people here that have multiple turntables.
IMHO, you are giving up too early. If you find it too expensive, then you are not looking hard enough. You already have the P3.. so how about these?
https://www.hifishark.com/search?q=linn+LP12
https://www.usaudiomart.com/details...n-audioquest-wooden-body-signature-cartridge/
https://www.usaudiomart.com/details...le-with-ittok-lv-ii-tonearm-cirkus-lingo-psu/
It looks like a nice start...
I'm sure the DD folks have plenty of links to them Technics, if you like bent tonearms... Maybe an SL10 with a some kind of an SME tonearm?
This looks neat, but I'm no expert... just to give you an idea...
https://www.canuckaudiomart.com/details/650150609-technics-sp-10mkii-full-set/
Inconvenient? That's the whole point! Listening to music should be, IMHO, something you pay attention to... not something you run in the background with a remote control. But, that's me. I guess I'm an old curmudgeon about such things.
Now, I'm saving money for the ultrasonic cleaning machine. I might sell the old VPI.
BTW- your table is nice, but unless you got it used, then you overpaid. IMHO. The idea, again IMHO, is to never pay MSRP and to get stuff that you can grow with. The Technics SP-10 and the Linn LP12 are the kind of tables that you can upgrade and tweak forever.... Most turntables are of the "complete package" kind and the only upgrade is to get another one... not what I would consider DIY audio.
Mind you, don't get me wrong, it sounds like you just got into the analog side of the house and it IS expensive, but to me, it sounds better (for sure different than digital) and is a worthwhile investment. To me, when you go to the High End, analog shines... the entry level is indeed high as this is after all a low volume, mechanical thing and the R&D and the machining are expensive.
Rega wise.... I was just told that the Rega Naia is better then the LP12.... hmm.... the guy has tive LP12s and just got the Naia. He knows his tables.
https://www.rega.co.uk/products/naia
One last thing... ignore the entire VINTAGE crap... it's crap. People have no clue. But it sounds better than Apple headphones, I guess.
I'm a physicist who learned (mostly digital) electronics to make a living. And when I came to the US in the early 70s, as a young teenager, I left some 200 books behind in the old country but I brought some 5 LPs with me. I still have them, playable too. I couldn't imagine living without a turntable and my records. ( OK, right now my TT is away for a week to get upgraded.... ).
Heck there are some people here that have multiple turntables.
IMHO, you are giving up too early. If you find it too expensive, then you are not looking hard enough. You already have the P3.. so how about these?
https://www.hifishark.com/search?q=linn+LP12
https://www.usaudiomart.com/details...n-audioquest-wooden-body-signature-cartridge/
https://www.usaudiomart.com/details...le-with-ittok-lv-ii-tonearm-cirkus-lingo-psu/
It looks like a nice start...
I'm sure the DD folks have plenty of links to them Technics, if you like bent tonearms... Maybe an SL10 with a some kind of an SME tonearm?
This looks neat, but I'm no expert... just to give you an idea...
https://www.canuckaudiomart.com/details/650150609-technics-sp-10mkii-full-set/
Inconvenient? That's the whole point! Listening to music should be, IMHO, something you pay attention to... not something you run in the background with a remote control. But, that's me. I guess I'm an old curmudgeon about such things.
Now, I'm saving money for the ultrasonic cleaning machine. I might sell the old VPI.
BTW- your table is nice, but unless you got it used, then you overpaid. IMHO. The idea, again IMHO, is to never pay MSRP and to get stuff that you can grow with. The Technics SP-10 and the Linn LP12 are the kind of tables that you can upgrade and tweak forever.... Most turntables are of the "complete package" kind and the only upgrade is to get another one... not what I would consider DIY audio.
Mind you, don't get me wrong, it sounds like you just got into the analog side of the house and it IS expensive, but to me, it sounds better (for sure different than digital) and is a worthwhile investment. To me, when you go to the High End, analog shines... the entry level is indeed high as this is after all a low volume, mechanical thing and the R&D and the machining are expensive.
Rega wise.... I was just told that the Rega Naia is better then the LP12.... hmm.... the guy has tive LP12s and just got the Naia. He knows his tables.
https://www.rega.co.uk/products/naia
One last thing... ignore the entire VINTAGE crap... it's crap. People have no clue. But it sounds better than Apple headphones, I guess.
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Oh thank you for a lovely answer, I understand it's your passion that drives you. I am going to read the suggestions when I get home i m out with my kiddo. I haven't given up yet, I really want to like vinyl. I was so convjnced I was buying an excellent turntable with the rega. Maybe not the stock cartridge. I confess I don t feel ok paying more money right now.
OK, I'm doing a Monty Python here.... and another thing... your table is good enough. Why don't you like it? What is it that with only 20 LPs and a reasonable enough turntable you don't like it? How about getting a record cleaning machine and start looking for older, used records? You already got the P3, which is excellent... I guess eventually you might get a better cartridge....
I'm in your hands now for advice, a total novice 🙂 I like my table. I just don t know if I like the whole vinyl experience enough to go down the usual rabbit hole. I have a few used records, quite noisy... And the rest are new. My dac sounds more inspiring right now, deeper soundstage, more... 3d? You re saying the pearl 3 is excellent, so it must be the Exact cartridge? However, I, personally, am not thrilled with the hiss and pop, and I haven t had this discussion with anyone yet, I hope we don't have to go through the usual chess moves 🙂
There's lot of people in these forums that can really give you lots of good advice.
Hmm... the P3 is very good, to get better you would have to go and spend big bucks. Ask Wayne Colburn... he and Nelson Pass would love to sell you something... or search the used forums...
However, your table is good enough, it shouldn't sound so bad.
So you got a reasonable turntable and a very good phono preamp... what are you missing then?
Your records.
Your used records need a good cleaning to being with. I'd look into that as the first thing... get something to clean them with. If you're gonna listen to used records, a record cleaning machine is more than indispensable, it's fundamental.
What kind of music do you like? Go find yourself some mid 70s Warner Brothers... look for Dire Straits.
Then for kicks...
It has nothing to do with LPs. I just like it... when MTV was actually actually revolutionary. And yes, I have the Pat Benatar LPs. They sound simply awesome, with huge dynamics!
You better Run... Video Killed The Radio Star.... Those were great times to live through.
And then punk and new wave.... It was a great time indeed... all with LPs. Trust me, digital in the 80s, sucked!
Digital today... I subscribe to Tidal HiFi. I do 10% LP and 90% streaming nowadays. But, when I sit to listen to LPs, it's always a treat.
The Space Shuttle... now Space X. Ladies and Gentlemen... we've gone from Rock And Roll to Rocket To Mars.
Hmm... the P3 is very good, to get better you would have to go and spend big bucks. Ask Wayne Colburn... he and Nelson Pass would love to sell you something... or search the used forums...
However, your table is good enough, it shouldn't sound so bad.
So you got a reasonable turntable and a very good phono preamp... what are you missing then?
Your records.
Your used records need a good cleaning to being with. I'd look into that as the first thing... get something to clean them with. If you're gonna listen to used records, a record cleaning machine is more than indispensable, it's fundamental.
What kind of music do you like? Go find yourself some mid 70s Warner Brothers... look for Dire Straits.
Then for kicks...
It has nothing to do with LPs. I just like it... when MTV was actually actually revolutionary. And yes, I have the Pat Benatar LPs. They sound simply awesome, with huge dynamics!
You better Run... Video Killed The Radio Star.... Those were great times to live through.
And then punk and new wave.... It was a great time indeed... all with LPs. Trust me, digital in the 80s, sucked!
Digital today... I subscribe to Tidal HiFi. I do 10% LP and 90% streaming nowadays. But, when I sit to listen to LPs, it's always a treat.
The Space Shuttle... now Space X. Ladies and Gentlemen... we've gone from Rock And Roll to Rocket To Mars.
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I find vinyl and digital complementary services. And a third, that’s streaming, which is usually digital, yes.
I have Spotify for family needs. I go to it if I has to look something up that I don’t find anywhere else.
For normal streaming I prefer Qobuz. Gives me decent advices, hints etc. Spotify always gives me what’s popular in broader terms. Like Netflix. YOU have to watch this popular schampoo show… Qobuz actually gives me good hints. So far.
Qobuz has another unbeatable feature. If being a ”Sublime” (me?) member, you can buy digital releases in most formats, up to dsd (whatever that’s for). I buy the records I like/love, store them on disk and lets ROON find them.
Finally, if I like a record enough, I also see if I can buy it on vinyl. This is the final devotion. I like this enough to smell, feel and let my precious needle penetrate its sexual moves.
I have Spotify for family needs. I go to it if I has to look something up that I don’t find anywhere else.
For normal streaming I prefer Qobuz. Gives me decent advices, hints etc. Spotify always gives me what’s popular in broader terms. Like Netflix. YOU have to watch this popular schampoo show… Qobuz actually gives me good hints. So far.
Qobuz has another unbeatable feature. If being a ”Sublime” (me?) member, you can buy digital releases in most formats, up to dsd (whatever that’s for). I buy the records I like/love, store them on disk and lets ROON find them.
Finally, if I like a record enough, I also see if I can buy it on vinyl. This is the final devotion. I like this enough to smell, feel and let my precious needle penetrate its sexual moves.
You'll get a lot of well-intentioned advice; my advice is don't listen to too much of it. Everyone has their own experiences and opinions - you need to go and listen to some good analogue systems (front ends) and see what you make of them.
Presumably you listened to the Rega before you bought it? Maybe start at the dealer you got it from and see what they can do with the Rega, or upgrades - a good dealer should be able to demo systems that sound good. How does the Rega sound in their studio? If you prefer your digital system, move on until you find a dealer who can show you what's better about analogue. Then decide.
Btw if it's your first turntable, might be worth checking things are set up properly and working as expected. And without going over the top, that it's on a reasonably stable base, not right in front of the speakers.
Presumably you listened to the Rega before you bought it? Maybe start at the dealer you got it from and see what they can do with the Rega, or upgrades - a good dealer should be able to demo systems that sound good. How does the Rega sound in their studio? If you prefer your digital system, move on until you find a dealer who can show you what's better about analogue. Then decide.
Btw if it's your first turntable, might be worth checking things are set up properly and working as expected. And without going over the top, that it's on a reasonably stable base, not right in front of the speakers.
Back to using the P3
Anyone using a very low output cartridge?
I'm currently using a Grado with a 1.0mV output ( 47K, moving iron ), it's does very well, no noise, lots of dynamics, etc... but... but....
...but I've been thinking of going to an Ortofon with 0.33,V.
Is anyone running a cartridge with so low an output?
Noise problems?
Anyone using a very low output cartridge?
I'm currently using a Grado with a 1.0mV output ( 47K, moving iron ), it's does very well, no noise, lots of dynamics, etc... but... but....
...but I've been thinking of going to an Ortofon with 0.33,V.
Is anyone running a cartridge with so low an output?
Noise problems?
Nice to see this thread getting back on track and not exploding. Cool.
I spent considerable time dialing in my own cartridge and found the difference to be immense. Part of this work included changing the VTA which I don't believe is possible on a Rega. Still, when the 'table arrived (as set up by a dealer who just had to think he could set it up...grrr) it sucked. My own efforts beat his considerably.
Digital is...select and play. Analog is mechanical. There are so many factors to adjust and sometimes the simplest can produce surprising changes. If you really want to get your fingers into it (and your head) then vinyl for sure.
I spent considerable time dialing in my own cartridge and found the difference to be immense. Part of this work included changing the VTA which I don't believe is possible on a Rega. Still, when the 'table arrived (as set up by a dealer who just had to think he could set it up...grrr) it sucked. My own efforts beat his considerably.
Digital is...select and play. Analog is mechanical. There are so many factors to adjust and sometimes the simplest can produce surprising changes. If you really want to get your fingers into it (and your head) then vinyl for sure.
Hi Tony - you might dig through this thread - The Hana ML has a 0.4mv output, so the results might be similar.