Buying a new TT today

I agree with most on the thread suggesting to go with a TT. My advice would be to try and always think what you're wanting and if a little patience and increased budget would put you in a better position. In other words. For example, some have mentioned the Prime Scout which is a good table but does have it's own share of drawbacks. Really give some consideration to the technology of whatever you choose to go with and what upgrades it allows that are important to you. As a Prime owner myself I found that tonearm upgrade was important to me. Which VPI states is not possible with the Prime or Prime Scout. Had I realized that I might not have purchased a Prime. So again really think about where your hifi journey is going before purchase. But again, I think TT is the best choice.

aj523  Nice choice! You are going to love it!  I was simply amazed at what the Planar 10 with the RB3000 tonearm did for my vinyl playback.

Did I mention before, I sold off my higher-end Micro Seiki Direct Drive turntable with a highly respected Micro Seiki tonearm and changed to the belt drive Rega Planar 10.  I had belt drive turntables in my earlier years of hi-fi systems.  Then I went to the Micro Seiki direct drive, and now I am back to a belt drive turntable.  No complaints, I got a better sounding deck.

@mammothguy54

Good timing. Just arrived today and the whole package from the ceramic platter to the absolutely massive separate power supply to the cabling to the tone arm, is several grade up from the P8. I only listened to one record, the one i know the best, Come Away with Me, Norah Jones and its a dramatically lower noise floor. She never sounded so intimate.. Out to eat now, but more later.

@aj523   May I add some information for you.  The surface that you place the Planar 10 on will have a substantial influence on the sonic performance.  If you read the review by Michael Fremer you should note that he stated something very similar.  I can tell you from my experience the following.  I first had the TT on a solid wood surface, fairly thick and relatively dead.  Certainly a respectable platform surface.  Thinking this through, and doing some research, I concluded with two options.  Option #1 was to simply replace the santoprene rubber feet with the Rega optional solid aluminum feet (cone shaped).  They are only $80 retail so that's a very simple and low cost upgrade.  Option #2, and the one that I  chose, was to buy an entirely new platform and vibration control system.  I opted for the Symposium Acoustics, model Segue ISO.  That brand makes fabulous platforms and system racks and this particular model was developed with turntables in mind.  I also added the Symposium Acoustics Rollerblock Jr + isolation and vibration control devices (the + denotes the upgraded tungsten carbide balls).  That brand (I believe) invented the rollerblock category and offers an assortment of devices.  The santoprene feet on the TT can easily be removed via a screwdriver directly through the bottom of the feet.  This leaves a solid metal ring mounted firmly to the bottom of the plinth that, coincidentally, is nearly identical in diameter to the Rollerblock Jr devices.  The Rollerblock Jr and the Segue ISO work perfectly together to isolate and mechanically drain all micro-vibration from the turntable.  I believed there would be a difference, but I had no idea just how profound it actually was.  Soundstage became wider and deeper, midrange became slightly more neutral and definitely more airy, and most impressively was the impact and definition in the bass region.  Repetitive kick drums, for example, were more individual and precise than I had ever heard on my system.  I suggest that you live with your new joy for some time and get a good feel for it.  When ready, step up to the Symposium system and you will be greatly rewarded.  Considering the price of your new TT and cartridge, and probably your system, it's a modest financial investment into superior sound quality.  Full retail on the two models is between $550 and $650, depending on which size platform you choose.  Note: I chose the 19" X 18" so the package retail price was $650, but I did secure a 15% discount.  I can't say enough about how good the sonic improvement is and am now in the process of adding more isolation and vibration drainage control for every component in my system.  Enjoy the music.  Sorry if this was a bit long🎶

TT is on a flat stone slab.  Perfectly level with meter.

Thanks for the tips and I will certainly look into it. I was trying not to do all these audiophile type improvements like cables. Are you using the stock cable for the power supply?  I always get upgraditis on that. 

I  started looking at after market mats and so confusing,  I called Rega UK this morning and the tech guy told me under no circumstances should I swap out the mat that's made specifically for the P10's ceramic platter. So glad i did that.  Maybe I'll ask Rega tomorrow about replacing the stock cord.