Thinking about getting into vinyl again...

I have a hunch that dealers do better monetarily selling the Rega line, than with other brands, e.g. VPI. Had too many dealers try to nudge me over to Rega when I wasn't asking about them. These dealers normally don't do that with other types of products. Had it happen too many times to be a coincidence. Rega must a have a healthy distribution network in the US that makes them appealing to stocking dealers.

Keithtexas has a point about the Rega. There's not much too them to justify their price. The tonearms are very nice, but everything else is pretty crude. Something that just about anybody could make in their garage with some basic tools. Methinks that in the US much of the price is made up of import and exchange costs, not product. Not saying they don't sound great, I'm just saying that they are overpriced for what they are.

Dear Abrew19,

This is MY opinion and in NO way I am trying to persuade you otherwise.

TTs I've owned:
Empire Troubador, Technics SL1200 MKII, Denon DP-60L, Pro-ject 6.1SB, Rega P3, VPI Scout, Clearaudio Champion, Well Tempered Classic, Music Hall MMF7, Funk Firm Vector, Linn Sondek LP12, and now a heavily modified RP3.

Clear winner IMHO? The modified RP3

In it's defense, the Rega RP3 may well be the most significant audio product of the decade. The RP3 has been designed and engineered to achieve outstanding performance way beyond the expectations of a product at this price point......with the added bonus of an upgradeable path.

Most importantly, Rega concentrate the manufacturing costs on the high quality parts necessary to reproduce records accurately; bearing, double brace technology, 24V motor, tonearm, and not on "looks".

The so called "cheap light plinth" has been purposely and cleverly design to prevent energy absorption and unwanted resonances which will add unnatural distortions to the music. Sit this table on a sand box and completely eliminate unwanted vibrations from the 24V motor by locking it precisely with the Rega TT-PSU and you will have a dead quiet table capable of producing eeire black backgrounds with the right cart.

The arm is a killer! it has improved bearings and a tightened spindle fit tolerance over previous models. Each bearing is individually selected to find the perfect match for the chosen spindle. This is a proven method of increasing the amount of detail retrieved from the record surface.

The new RB303 uses the latest Rega arm tube found in the RB808 and RB2000 (completely redesigned to redistribute mass, further reduce stresses and resonances). This advanced design tube increases the stiffness and rigidity of the overall assembly using CAD design to blend the multiple varying tapers.

Excellent reviews everywhere! Best TT under $1,500.00, budget analog component of the year, 5 star What HiFi winner, the list goes on and on. So many audio experts can't be wrong, don't you think?

Better TTs out there? Hell yeah!!!
Townshend Rock 7, Well Tempered Amadeus, Acoustic Signature Wow XL just to name a few.

All TTs have strong and weak points. In the end, it all boils down to synergy and taste. I can happily say that my modified Rega RP3 "sings" better than any other TT I've ever owned and that I dont miss my rather expensive Linn LP12 set up.....at all.

Again, just my opinion!

great posts to all. I've been listening to a ton of tables lately. More than I should be, lol. I have found that most of the tables above 5 k (with arm and cart) are well worth it IF you can afford it. There are so many differences in the lower priced tables and I haven't loved all of them. My main dealer sells the Rega, VPI, Clearaudio and Basis. He was having me listen to the Rega 6, but then I noticed he had a Basis tucked away. I went with the Basis without hearing it. First product I've ever done that with, but I trust him and his analoge guy and he knows the rest of my system as I got it from him, lol. I'm so glad I made this purchase over the Rega 6.

I didn't like the 6 vs other tables I have heard it against, HOWEVER the other systems were much more money. I think the Rega was thin compared to the top of the line Linn, Basis, VPI, Well Tempered (finally heard one) and the German Ayre(DPS) with Ortofon arm and cart.

Turntables have so much that go into their sound and you really need a dealer you trust who has honestly heard different arm and cart set ups. The Rega arm is amazing as I've heard them all on different tables. For the price you really can't come close. I have found though that the TT and not the arm makes the biggest difference by far. It's not even close in that it drives everything. The better tables just sounded right and relaxed when you listen to them. Bottom line is that you can go anywhere with your vinyl and it will sound better than any digital. I finally heard top digital, including DSD done right and it sounds great. I'll gladly listen to it 80% of the time when I'm reading or on the computer, but when listening I relax more with vinyl.

The thing is that personally, I'm done with tweeking and rolling tubes etc... I'll put a Gingko Cloud under the TT as that thing is by far the best isolation device I've come across. Even tables that have their own special isolation sounded better overall with the Gingko vs those without. I"ve heard a ton of other higher cost platforms, but they changed the sound and didn't always make ti better. Some would tighten up everything, but they ruin the stage or the highs. Some would clean up the stage and ground it, but ruined the bass or sucked out the mids too much for me.

Bottom line is that you need to get what you like. The phono stage means just as much as does the wiring. Lot's of variables, but the basic table, cart, arm set up for 500 on a Gingko Cloud 10 has sounded better to my ear than all of the 20k digital set ups that dealers were demoing for me.

Now, here we go MI8764ag:

1. Plan to spend between $1,300.00 - $1,500.00

2. Test your A5 amp phono section to find out if it works. If not, you will have to either repair it or go with an external phono pre (which means more money you will need to spend).

3. Buy new! Today's technology is far superior plus re-sale value is better.

VPI Nomad ($995.00) - You will get a decent package that includes:
A built-in phono preamplifier, a built-in headphone amplifier, an Ortofon 2M Red moving-magnet cartridge, a new gimbaled-bearing tonearm. What's cool about this table is that the built-in phono pre is built to perfectly complement the Ortofon 2M Series. So if you want better performance, simply upgrade the stylus! Clever indeed. Plus, the built-in phono pre will help you save money in case your A5 phono section isn't working.

Rega RP40 ($1299.00) - IMHO a much better option for $300.00 more that includes:
The new and improved RB-303 tonearm, custom-cut glass platter, lightweight titanium plinth with double-brace technology. The RP40 also comes equipped with a set of custom-designed anti-vibration feet, a new belt, and a special-edition white Elys40 cartridge, carefully tested to the highest achievable specs to deliver improved stereo imaging, balance and detail.

The real deal here is the addition of the TT-PSU. This unit maximizes the efficiency of the anti-vibration circuit while still offering the convenience of electronic speed change. So you will enjoy a dead quiet 24V motor!

Now the VPI Traveler starts at $1,500.00 sans cart. With a 2M red, it will match the price of a Clearaudio Concept with Concept MM cart at $1,599.00. $300.00 more than the RP40 without the power supply unit.

Based on your demands, and I quote "Right or wrong, part of the reason I chose this is relative simplicity of setup and use. Although I'm open to messing with accessories and upgrades, I don't want to mess with spacers, complicated adjustments, changing arms, or hacking the table in any way", then you will be better off with the Nomad or the RP40.

Spin Clean Washer MKII, Audioquest Carbon Fiber Record Brush, and a Clearaudio Diamond Stylus Brush should take care of the cleaning process.

Buy a few good records and Voila!!!!!!