Any thoughts/experience with Rega Aphelion or Apheta 2 MC cartridges?

Hi A
I have a different turntable and arm so it's never a straight forward comparison. I have a Rega RP10 fitted with an Apheta 2 cartridge with a Unison Research Phono One valve pre-amplifier. This set up was chosen after a lot of blind listening demos at the dealer. The Apheta 2 cartridge got damaged (has anyone else done this?). Whilst it was being repaired by Rega (expensive but a good service) I fitted an Ortofon Cadenza Bronze and there was no comparison. Everything sounded flat and lifeless in comparison. It's a good cartridge but with the RP10 set up the Apheta 2 is clearly matched to give an open and detailed sound. I chose the valve pre-amp to add some warmth to the detail.  I would audition the Apheta 2 with your turntable. Hope this helps a bit.My question is - should I upgrade to the Rega Aphelion or will Rega be introducing a new cartridge soon?
All the Best
NN

I am running an RP10 with an Apheta 2 and they definitely work really well together - tracks well, good bottom end, smooth but fast sound.  That said, I still miss my Lyra Delos which had an unfortunate accident with my now ex-girlfiend(yeah it's probably because she broke my Lyra LOL!). 

I can't say that I understand compliance well enough to confirm or deny if the Rega carts will mate well with your arm but if they're within spec they are definitely making a much better cartridge than they were in the past.  

I've tried MM's from all the usual suspects and on the MC side I've heard Shelter, Denon, the Audio Technica AT33PTG and besides the Lyra, the Apheta 2 has bested everything else that I've tried MM or MC.  I would imagine if you tried one and ran it in for a month you would easily be able to sell to someone with a Rega deck looking to upgrade without taking too much of a hit.

I had a Rega RP6 with the Exact2 cartridge.  Pass Labs XP SS phonostage and CJ tube electronics.  I found the Exact2 to be frustratingly unlistenable-- horrible.  I am actually surprised that I didn't throw a sneaker at the turntable while a record was playing.

I sold the Exact2 and put on an Apheta1-- better, but harsh sounding on the high end.

Finally, I bit the bullet and bought an RP10 with the Apheta2.  I could tell in the first 60 seconds of listening that this upgrade created a world of difference.  I really enjoy the RP10 with the Apheta2.  It is trouble free, easy to set up and sounds great.

I intuitively knew that the Pass Labs XP and the CJ tube electronics were not the problem, and I was right.  It was the RP6 and the Exact2.

I have never been able to figure out why so many people bash the RP10 and the Apheta2.  For those of us who do not fully understand VTA, or want to screw around with it, all Rega's are point and shoot, and the high end ones sound great.

So, I am thinking about potentially upgrading to the Aphelion, but haven't heard one, and want to do so before getting another spendy toy.

One point that I do want to make is that the Distributors of Rega-- The Sound Organization in Texas, are about as unfriendly and as unhelpful as they come.  When I was selling my Exact2, I wanted to buy a case for the cartridge so I could ship it safely.  I needed one because my Exact2 came installed on the table and didn't have a box.

I called the distributor, explained my situation and asked to BUY a box for the cartridge for shipping.  It took several calls and felt like a federal case before they would send me one.  I mean, seriously, were they thinking I was going to make a counterfeit Exact2 or something?  Anyway, while this is a very polite forum, the guys at The Sound Organization qualify as the backside of a horse as far as I am concerned.

Happy listening.