Rega P3-24, Pro-Ject RM-5, or Technics 1200?

12-08-08: Learsfool
Perhaps I would change my mind if I heard a modified one, but in the meantime I would disagree with Johnny, I think the Regas have a far better soundstage, image much better, and have much better resolution of instrumental timbres than any Technics I have ever heard.

In other words, you have not heard a Technics set up as I described, so you have no frame of reference for what it can do. Much of the inner detail, microdynamics and macrodynamics come alive in the Technics with the add-ons and platforming mentioned previously.

I am also not a tweaker, so the simple Rega set-up appealed for that reason as well.

Just changing the speed on the Rega to play 45 rpm requires removing the platter and moving the rubber band... er... drive belt to a different pulley. On the Technics you push the "45" button. On the Rega, if you want to change VTA you either shim the cartridge or unbolt the tonearm and add extra-cost shims there. On the Technics, you flip a lever and turn a calibrated helical height adjuster. On the Rega, users often let the platter spin awhile before dropping the stylus onto the record to enable the platter to come up to speed and smooth out. Some owners even make a point of changing records while the platter is spinning so they don't lose momentum between sides. On the Technics as you would well know, it's up to speed in less than a second. On the Rega you change the belt about every year; on the Technics you add some bearing oil every 2,000-3,000 hours of play. On any tonearm with integrated headshell you have about 1-2" clearance to get under the headshell and mount the cartridge and hope that the stylus protector works if the cart slips out of your hands before you can thread the nuts onto the bolts. On a Technics you remove the headshell and can give yourself as much room and any angle you'd like to mount the cartridge with the least risk of damage. Which type of turntable is tweakier to operate and maintain? As Tvad said, once the improvements are installed, they don't change how you operate the turntable it all. It just sounds better.

Getting back to the original post, I would also add that many people, including myself, consider the Bellari mentioned a good match for the Rega tables, another reason to choose the P3-24.

The primary factors for matching a Bellari to a turntable would have little to do with the turntable itself, but would have everything to do with the output of the cartridge and somewhat to do with the capacitance of the interconnects to the Bellari, and possibly from the Bellari to the line stage. The Bellari has a great reputation, but it also has a fairly low amount of gain. This would limit you to high output moving magnet and moving iron cartridges, and maybe some high output moving coils, but they'd be playing on the low side.

There are some great HO carts out there for the Bellari though, such as the Grados, the Rega MMs, Cartridge Man MusicMaker, and the Audio Technica AT150MLX. I'd put the AT150MLX in the same performance ballpark as the Elys, only you can get the AT150MLX for $250, and can replace the stylus for $180.

Hi guys - I thought I made it clear that I had not heard a modified Technics, and that therefore my comments only applied to the unmodified one, which I have heard. I take your word for it that the modifications improve it, but I stand by what I said about the unmodified ones compared to the Regas.

As for the Bellari comment, I posted that because the OP already has one, and I use one myself with my Rega P5/Exact 2 combo - I am fully aware that it is for MM only.

A couple of other comments about using the Regas - the platter comes up to speed within 5 - 10 seconds, this is not an issue to me (I also use the TT-PSU), and I don't see why one would turn off the platter in between LP's anyway? What would be the advantage of doing this? Also, the Rega's are designed so that one does not have to mess with VTA - I have never found an adjustment to be necessary, assuming the table was set up properly in the first place. They do have an anti-skate adjustment. I don't own any 45's, but it is very easy to move the belt if one wanted to. As for having to change it once a year, that I hadn't heard before, and I have only had mine eight months now. The belt shows no visible signs of wear yet. I would think it will last much longer than one year.

By saying I am not a tweaker, I meant that I was never very technically inclined, so the Regas, which are about as close to set-it-and-forget-it as it gets, appealed. Mine was set up for me by my dealer, who also mounted the cartridge, and I don't plan on messing with the set up in the future unless I have to (though I did brave a small anti-skate adjustment, which was easy and made a huge difference). Since then I have learned quite a bit more about the whole thing, and am still learning - I have learned a great deal from everyone on this site in particular. When I eventually do upgrade the whole analog rig, which won't be for a long time yet, I will know much more than I do now, and will be ready to be more of a tweaker if required. But in the meantime, the Rega both sounded better and was less overall fuss, the perfect combination for me.

Very good explanation, Learsfool, and good question, Tvad....... From what I've gathered by reading a gazillion reviews of Rega TT's in preparation for my upcoming purchase of a brand new Rega P3-24 with a Rega Exact cartridge mounted and set up by my dealer (Yea !!!....only a week away.....I can hardly wait !), the VTA of both the RB-301 and RB-700 arms is pre-set for Rega cartridges. Using other brand pick-ups will require the proper use of single or multiple 2mm. shims under the arm base to provide the proper VTA. VTA adjustments should not be necessary with the Rega cartridge line. One of the many reasons for my choosing the Rega Exact instead of the Dynavector 10x5 or Benz-Micro Ace is that I feel the "systems approach" of matching a Rega cartridge with a Rega arm and a Rega table makes sense. Obviously, others may disagree, but that's how I feel.
Now,....let's all relax, cue up our favorite record, and enjoy the music !!