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Rega Planar 3 upgrades

Hi Everyone,

I have a couple of quick turntable related questions for the community.

A little background.  I currently have two turntable setups.  One is a Clearaudio Concept with a Dynavector 10x5 cartridge.  The other is Rega Planar 3 (2016 version) with an Ortofon 2M Bronze.

I've been thinking of upgrades for the Planar 3 and took the plunge on a new Neo TTPSU.  Any thoughts on a Groovetracer sub platter?  How close would I be to a Planar 6 at that point?

The Clearaudio MM cartridge that came with the Concept table was barely used when I upgraded the cartridge to the 10x5.  I still have it laying around.  Can anyone recommend to me a good relatively cheap (under $400) turntable that would be a good fit for this cartridge?  I believe it weights 8 grams and has a tracking force of 1.9 to 2.5g.

One final question.  Can anyone recommend a decently easy to use cartridge protractor?  I need to learn to do my own setups.

Thank you

mustangjeff
scm
314 posts
 

The Grovetracer sub platter is money well spent, you`ll be amazed at how quiet your albums will sound too.

 

medium_grade
88 posts
 

I mean, if you like the Rega sound, go for it. I had a P3 and bought the upgraded power supply, sub-platter and platter. The sound definitely improved. The image was wider, background was blacker, it was able to handle loud and complex passages much better, but I still wasn't entirely satisfied with it. I ended up buying a Dual 1219 from fixmydual.com and liked it much better.  

mustangjeff OP
30 posts
 

I took Tooblue's advice and purchase a Vinyl Source custom arc protractor for Rega arms.  I'll start with this since it's so affordable.  They mentioned I could use this same protractor for my Clearaudio Concept. 

Cartridge Arc Alignment Protractor. For use with Rega Tonearms. | vinyl (thevinylsource.co.uk)

I do like the Rega sound. I like my Concept better, but that magnetic bearing tonearm is super sensitive to floor vibrations.  I've had to relegate it to my basement system where walking across the floor is a non-issue.  It could be I just prefer the 10x5 over the 2M Bronze.  Those systems are apple and oranges to each other as well.

In regards to my newish unused Clearaudio MM cartridge.  I do have a third system which consist of 90's era Rotel gear (972 pre, 980BX amp) with DCM Timewindow 3 speakers that I wouldn't mind a table on.  Seems like anything newish comes with a cart.  I want to find something inexpensive without a cart to play around with setup.

crustycoot
644 posts
 

Buy a used Dual 502, 504 or 505 model.  
Or…a Technics DD with S shaped arm. 
Many out there for sale under $400.00.

lugsytl47
14 posts
 

I bought a barely used Rega P1 that came with both the Rega cartridge and Nagaoka MP-110 cartridges for $350 CAN. Owner decided to go with Rega P3 for better sound and was outside the return window on P1. The interesting part was the he was totally deaf, couldn’t hear me knock on door or doorbell.

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