Which Sub-platter for my original planar 3

williewonka
Nice work, Steve. Turntables really lend themselves to mods and examples like yours show just how far it can go. What's hard to get across though is when you get all these "tweaks" together how transformative it can be. Wouldn't surprise me if there are $10k rigs out there that are just barely at the level of your hot-rodded Rega.

I started out the same way only with a Basis. In my case the first few mods convinced me the thing to do in my case is build one more or less from scratch. Either way, its a lot of work but you end up with something many times what you put into it. And the payoff! Mine's going on 15 years!
http://www.theanalogdept.com/images/spp6_pics/C_miller_web/Miller_carbon_5.jpg

"Wouldn’t surprise me if there are $10k rigs out there that are just barely at the level of your hot-rodded Rega."
Keen observation millercarbon! hehe.

Meanwhile, my bin diving has rewarded me a few stamper grades of tired, but classic albums for my collection. I just don’t have that luxury you have to get one of those "white hots"

Apologies for the hijack.

@millercarbon - WOW - that’s a nice lookig TT :-)

Tweaking has undoubtedly taught us both a lot about good TT design.

The problem I have with the whole tweaking process is all those intermediate tweaks that were tried and replaced.
e.g.

• The Regar RB250 arm - which didn’t live up to it’s billing or expectations - so I replaced it
• the Cardas one piece harness - was an improvement over the standard RB250 wiring - but was sold with with the RB250
• the Michell Techno weight provided great dynamics and bass depth, but it too went with the RB250

Whereas, some of todays budget turntable builders have learned a thing or two from the past and are beating the "old masters" at their own game

e.g. When I look at the U-Turn TT’s it seems they have done a lot of homework and provided some great design features that really improve TT performance

• low center of gravity on the counterbalance weight for improved bass and dynamic performance
• drive belt around the platter for improved speed consistency and faster "spin-up"
• Acrylic platter for better dynamics and clarity

By comparison - Rega still seems to resting their future on a 35+ year old design.

• Arm design is still basically the same and still has poor wiring compared to other TT’s in that class. BUT credit where it’s due - the arm tube is still a good design
• Counterweight still the same old design - armtube center of gravity
• Sub platter belt drive system - still requires the old "Rega Nudge" to get it up to speed quickly
• the glass platter - it was a good idea back in the day to control wow and flutter, but compared to acrylic, it just sounds awful
• plastic sub platter/spindle - very budget oriented - it should have been upgraded to metal years ago

I guess past acolades still keep the "old guys" in business and each new generation of vinyl spinners will have to go through the same learning pains we have endured.

Thanks goodness for the WWW - because if you are curious, the knowledge is out there :-)

Regards - Steve