Honest question about cartridge vs. turntable performance.

Atma-Sphere, I have this nagging itch that tells me it is the "less money"
part that is most significant here.

@mijostyn  That might be due to Veblen Effect- the same reason that people preferred Campagnolo derailleurs back in the 1970s even though SunTour derailleurs were better in every way. Its that nagging itch that tells you that because its more expensive, it has to have more value. It doesn't always work that way- if the product is built to a pricing formula rather than what the market will bear, it is often less expensive.


The Technics machines are less expensive out of volume. You might want to give them another listen; the new 'tables are entirely different designs even though they've retained the same look. I've installed Triplanar arms on a number of them- that combination is very hard to beat!

Plus Mijostyn has never revealed exactly which DD turntables he listened to back in the "1970s or 1980s", with what tonearms and cartridges and on what speakers.  (Not that it would matter all that much, unless he listened to some decidedly inferior brand or model, because otherwise he is entitled to his opinion.)  Plus, dear Mijo, you are guilty of a common audiophile sin: You have an observation on one hand ("I did not like that turntable sound), and a not necessarily related fact on the other (the turntable has a motor situated directly under the platter), and you are positing a cause and effect for which we (neither you nor I) have no other evidence.  Even the 1970s (50 years ago) were not "dark ages".  Electricity was well understood in the 1970s.  Engineers knew about EMI and RFI and their possible negative effects on the operation of a phono cartridge placed nearby.  Shielding was also an understood art.  All of the high quality vintage DD turntables I have encountered evidence an effort to prevent the motor from interfering with the low level signal from a cartridge.  I've measured EMI near the surface of the platter for two of my own DD turntables (SP10 Mk3 and Kenwood L07D), while the turntable was in operation, of course, and the signal is not above background.  This is proof of nothing, but it is evidence of something.

I agree that Technics turntables are a fine product.  I sold many of them during that part of my CE industry life.  They sounded very good, worked flawlessly, and never came back with a mechanical issue.  Very happy customers.  The direct drive of my choice, one that I have enjoyed in my system for many years, is a Micro Seiki DDX-1000 with a Micro Seiki MA-505 tonearm.  Always sounded wonderful and has been a flawless performer for many years.

The problem I have with some comments here, however, is that by making a recent purchase for a Rega Planar 10, I somehow have made a very poor decision.  As well, that the product is equally as poor.  Quite frankly, that's just not fair.  We are all allowed to have opinions and make choices.  It's just wrong to tell people that their opinions, decisions, and product selections are "crap" (exact quote from a previous comment).  Offer up all the opinions and information that you wish.  But please, refrain from telling people that their choices and their products are "crap".

@mammothguy54

When you address your message to someone directly, please mention it. In my opinion Rega is a crappy and overpriced belt drive turntable like almost all modern BD turntable in this price range, nothing can change my opinion about it.

...making a recent purchase for a Rega Planar 10, I somehow have made a very poor decision.

Don’t you think the same? Let’s face it.
And let me mark the best Technics models since you have mentioned your positive experience with some old Technics turntables. The SP-10 mkII cost only $1500 today in perfect condition. The SP-10 mkIII is still a reference Direct Drive and cost about $5-7k.

I have explained in details in my earlier posts why (in my opinion) Direct Drive is better than Belt Drive.

Comparing any Rega to Technics SP-10mkII or mkIII is a joke, really.
Same about any Rega tonearms versus vintage Technics EPA-100 tonearm.

A brand new Technics SL1200G (about$4k) and GR (about $1700) are better than any Rega turntable today. 

Well Chakster, I didn't mention your name because I am not one to bash others.  But since you are requesting it then, yes, I was referencing you.

I can see that your opinion and, more importantly, your manners, are what they are.

Stay safe and be healthy during these very trying times of COVID.