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Upgrade modded P25 to P7 or uprade cartridge

I'm looking down the road and wondering where I might get the best bang-for-buck upgrade on my vinyl rig.

My current source is a Rega P25 with Groovetracer subplatter, Michell Tecnoweight, Funk Firm Achromat, and VTAF. I'm dangling a Dynavector 10x5.

Given the modifications I've installed on my P25, I'm wondering how much I might benefit from moving up the line to a P7. Obviously, the P7 has an upgraded platter, improved tonearm, and also the TT-PSU. If I went this route, I would keep my 10x5.

Another option is to keep my P25 and upgrade my cartridge by moving up the Dynavector line to, say, a DV-20x.

I guess it all depends on how close my P25 modifications bring my deck to the P7.

Any input or advice is appreciated.

(Associated equipment: SAC Gamma phono pre (MM/MC), Earmax headphone amp, Sennheiser HD-600s.)
johnbender
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rauliruegas
13,055 posts
 
Dear Johnbender: There are options on your budget, some of this options for second hand vintage " great " cartridges like these:

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?anlgcart&1258377072&/Technics-EPC-205Cmk3 , yes I know that for this you need a removable headshell tonearm design. This kind of tonearm can give you advantages of what you have right now and the cartridge is something to own.

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?anlgcart&1259282100&/Shure-V-15-Type-3 this one is a good option due that comes with the Jico SAS stylus replacement.

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?anlgcart&1260017308&/B-O-mmc-20cl good cartridge if you can get for a lower price than what the seller ask.

http://cgi.ebay.com/AUDIO-TECHNICA-AT15Sa-AUDIOPHILE-CARTRIDGE-AT-15Sa_W0QQitemZ120481913360QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item1c0d481a10#ht_500wt_1182

the Reson Reca is very good option too, read here what a Rega owner say about ( Dr_joe ):
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?eanlg&1205040225&openfrom&6&4

this one is extraordinary ( MMC2 ):
http://www.elexatelier.com/bangandolufsenphono.htm

As you can see there are several good options.

Regards and enjoy the music,
Raul.
learsfool
1,215 posts
 
I would recommend that you upgrade to the P5 instead of the P7 - it will cost you half as much, and you will get what most Rega dealers will tell you is alot more value for the money. It is a significant upgrade from the P2, I have had both in my system.
johnbender OP
29 posts
 
Wow! Thanks for these links, Raul.

Learsfool: Thanks for the recommendation. But I have a P25, not a P2. Do you think a stock P5 would outperform it?
learsfool
1,215 posts
 
Yes, I do believe so - the RB700 is a better arm, would be the main difference. I also use the TT-PSU, and would highly recommend that. A couple of different Rega dealers I know will tell you that the P7, while probably a better table than the P5, is not enough of an upgrade over it to justify the large price difference, and that you would need to go all the way up to the P9 to see a big quality difference.
mordante
511 posts
 
Go for the P7 I would say. Spending more money on the p25 would seem a waste. I have owned a P25 and swtiched to a VPI Scout. I also thought about upgrading my P25 but I found out it is cheaper to just sell the P25 and buy a better turntable. A fully pimped P25 doesn't sell for much more then a standerd P25 I think.

I would skip the P5 and go straight for a P7, with the P5 you still need to buy the special motor controll unit to make it really good and with the P7 it comes as standerd.
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