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

I have the Rega Planar 3 turntable for 30 years now. It had an original everything including a 100$ nottingham analogue cartridge/stylus.
Sound was not bad but pretty basic....
A few years ago I started upgrading it. I did all the upgrades together and the result is... not good. The sound is very accurate but it is too bright, there is almost no Bass and drums have no attack whatsoever.
I can't eliminate where the problem is because all upgrades are irreversible.
I know that the Ortofon Rondo Red has a very bright sound but still...

 

Here is a list of the upgrades :

1. ISOkinetik ISOvert Rega Tonearm VTA Adjustment Kit

https://www.analogueseduction.net/isokinetik-upgrades-and-parts/isokinetik-isovert-rega-tonearm-vta-adjustment-kit.html

 

2. Cardas Litz purple phono cable

 

3. ISOkinetik Tonearm Low CG weight

https://www.analogueseduction.net/isokinetik-upgrades-and-parts/isokinetik-isoweight.html

 

4. Ortofon Rondo Red Cartridge/stylus

 

5 Linn Linto phono pre amp (an old but outstanding piece which has a cult following).


6. I use Rega Elicit Apmplifer


triskadecaphobic
audio2design
1,351 posts
 
Compatible impedance and best impedance for optimal frequency response are not the same thing.

Did you follow the link I provided on optimal impedance matching?
triskadecaphobic OP
81 posts
 
I read it carefully. I still do not understand the difference between the two.
Please explain this and if possible a step by step procedure of what needs to be added ? Resistor in parallel to right and left ? What values ?
bpoletti
1,553 posts
 
Maybe you're expecting more out of your table than it's capable of delivering.  I had a Rega Planar 3.  I returned it the next day.  Bought my first VPI table instead.  

There are plenty of good-sounding tables out there without having to settle for a Rega.
audio2design
1,351 posts
 
This is the link to read.

http://www.extremephono.com/Loading.htm

The circuit would typically be an R-C in series and that is placed between the +/- at the input to the amp (or in the amp). 


Most cartridges today into a higher impedance load (the Linn is not "high", but not low either), will have a bump in the high frequencies and a bit of a dip below that.  That is going to make them sound bright. Changing your cartridge is not going to fix the issue, at least not guaranteed. It could be better, or it could be worse.  

I can't tell you the exact value since I don't have your cartridge and amp.  Maybe Ortofon could help?  They may be able to provide some guidance on loading for a flat frequency response.
cd318
2,636 posts
 
@bpoletti ,

'Maybe you're expecting more out of your table than it's capable of delivering. I had a Rega Planar 3. I returned it the next day. Bought my first VPI table instead.  

There are plenty of good-sounding tables out there without having to settle for a Rega.'


Absolutely. However, as you know, sometimes it's best to find out for yourself.

I keep reminding myself to sometimes not butt in and let my kids make some mistakes. 

Can be a good way to learn. Sometimes, it's the only way to learn.

I often berate reviewers for leading me astray when I was new to audio, but no one held a gun to my head. 

Would I have listened to an alternative opinion back then?

Not too sure that I would have. Embarrassing to think that many of us used to smugly look down on the likes of Quad, SME, Technics etc as we were held in rapture by the likes of Naim, Linn and Rega.

Thankfully, that bubble was unable to withstand the pressure of reality and eventually burst of its own accord.

Freedom at last.
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