Rega Planar 3 : Heavily upgraded yet produces a sound that I don't like

OP - here are a few upgrades i did to my 32 year old rega 2 - it sounds amazing - now :-)

http://image99.net/blog/files/04fdba8476cfd21bdd7a5fdf38c8cdf5-28.html

I recommend the RCA plugs, metal sub-platter and Acrylic platter upgrades to start with

The Audiomods tonearm, although expensive, was worth every penny - Just Amazing!

If the arm is too much, then at least get a one piece harness fitted to your arm (if it does not have onw already)
- but for about $300 more you can get the Audiomods arm - and it alone is amazing
www.audiomods.co.uk

The Plinth Upgrade was daunting - you can get some very nice new plinths on-line for a great price

The feet of the TT are now 2.5" wide bronze cones and it sits on a granite tile
http://image99.net/blog/files/505119d0be04fa00f053d1e3491df5c8-80.html

The cartridge is a modified Soundsmith Denon DL103
- with the O.C. Countour Line stylus/Ruby cantilever - amazing!
- the epoxied brass plate seals the deal
- it stiffens up the plastic casing
- lots more body and less distortion
http://image99.net/blog/files/23c020f75290d3392577113371f4dc94-38.html

Unfortunately - the only thing left from Rega II is the plastic cover and the ON/OFF switch - but they work great! :-)

If I had my time over - I’d just get another brand of TT - there are some great choices these days

Hope that helps

Regards - Steve

Parks Puffin makes it sound anyway you want.

"I tried a Ortofon Red on my Planar 3 based on all of the bang for the buck reviews. I added a spacer to help with the VTA etc.
Hated the sound it was basically as you described. "

Dougsat,

I will make sure VTA and speed are correct of course but I do tend to suspect the cartridge. Speed was never an issue with my previous cartridge.
What would be a better all around cartridge at the same price and a little bit more that could balance accurate sound that will still sound... warmish and not kill the drums ?

If you add a spacer to help with VTA, you'll raise the back of the arm making the cartridge sound more etched and brighter.

Do you have an external tracking force gauge?  Could be a cartridge / arm compatibility issue.  The Rondo Red is fairly low compliance and may not be well suited to your fairly low mass tone arm. This could be impacted bass response.