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Rega P3: Neo PSU or New Cartridge?

Hi everyone,

I have a Rega P3 upgraded with a Groovetracer Reference sub-platter and Rega’s white belt. I’m looking to upgrade the table further, but not sure which would be the most advisable option: Rega’s NEO PSU or a new cartridge (either the Exact 2 or Orotofon 2M Black). I’m content with the Elys 2 at the moment, but do plan to move up soon. The power supply is what I’ve been leaning towards getting next, but I’m new to planar-style belt-drive turntables, and so I’m unsure what sonic improvements to expect from such an upgrade.

I know many would recommend getting a P6 rather than upgrading the P3, but I’m not a fan of the color of the P6. I love the sleek look of the white P3 plinth with the metal bracing, metal sub-platter, and glass platter. This table is sort of of my fun foray into the world of planar-style belt-drive turntables. I’m primarily a direct-drive fan (I have two Technics SL-1210GAEs), but always loved the looks of the Regas, so the P3’s aesthetics, for me, are a factor to consider in addition to the sound quality. I know the P3 cannot achieve the same level of sound quality as other tables in the Rega line-up, but I’m just trying to get it to sound as good as it can.

Any advice would be much appreciated.
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undefined OP
33 posts
 
@jasonbourne52:
Thanks for your recommendation, though I think I’ll probably avoid MCs for the near-future. My phono stage was recently upgraded to a Lehmann Black Cube SE II, so I don’t feel the need to upgrade that just yet. 
Could someone briefly explain, in general outline, how the external PSU improves the sound? I’d like to understand this a bit more. Thanks. 
noromance's avatar
noromance
9,763 posts
 
Could someone briefly explain, in general outline, how the external PSU improves the sound?

The NEO generates a clean 50Hz(60Hz) waveform to power the 24v AC motor. Without the NEO, the motor uses mains power which can be inherently dirty. The clean power cuts down on phase-related speed variations and electrical interference that raises the noise floor hiding low-level detail.
scm
313 posts
 
undefined...
Did you hear an improvement when you put the Groovetracer subplatter in ?

undefined OP
33 posts
 
@noromance 
Thank you for the explanation; that’s helpful. 
@scm 
I noticed improved speed and pitch control. It also seemed that the playback was a bit “clearer,” maybe due to the higher quality bearing in the GT Reference? I’m not sure. 
scm
313 posts
 
  undefined ... I agree with your observations. 
The runout on the GT subplatter is so much tighter vs the plasticky stock one and that alone helps in a better more defined sound. 
I noticed that the surface noise dropped dramatically as well.
The NEO does all of that while doing its job.
There`s a number of threads about the NEO on the Steve Hoffman forum that you might want to check out
 
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