Unexpected issues with Rega planar TT, a respectful manufacturer product?

I have to look for a new cartridge, would you have any suggestions for P2?

@niodari - Since you are not really "into vinyl", I would probably recommend the entry level Rega Carbon cartridge (I’m assuming you need a Moving Magnet cartridge ?) for the following reasons

• should NOT require VTA alignment
• will match the Rega tonearm
• elliptical stylus
  • provides reasonable retails
  • easy to setup
  • you can change just the stylus when it wears out
• reasonably priced - around $95 CDN
• reasonable performer

https://www.trutone.ca/products/view/rega-carbon-turntable-cartridge

There are many other options, but the process gets more complex and more expensive

Just a thought - if the Rega Carbon IS the cartridge you currently have...

• try removing the stylus and re-inserting it
  • it should just pull out - push in
  • see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiVMY_qjU8g
• the issue may just be a stylus seating problem

Hope that helps

Regards - Steve

Thanks Steve again. 

Each time i play an LP i realize that this is the sound. But i do not have many well-recorded LPs and i think there are less well-recorded LPs than CDs. A few well-recorded LPs sound better for me than the corresponding CDs, but most of the music i like are better recorded on CDs (jazz, classic and even many rock albums). And it is a bit too much care one should take for LPs also changing sides every 20 minutes and hearing noise caused by LP scratches etc.  

The dealer from which I bough the TT has replied. I asked him if the cartridge can be replaced.  I will also try to move the stylus. The $95 cartridge on the page looks like one I have. 

Allegedly Rega Carbon is AT3600L, which could be purchased for half the price of Carbon. Just saying.

@niodari  - WRT analogue vs. Digital - I cannot disagree with the points you raise.

Personally - I listen to digital, but more for background music e.g. when friends are over 

But if I want to "escape" and be bathed in sumptuous reality of a live performance, or get nostalgic about times gone by I turn to vinyl. + a glass of wine or Single Malt 😎

Most of my vinyl is quite old, but I do have some new artists that I consider worthy of the investment e.g. Ed Sheeran and Jason Moraz Sam Smith, Lorde, Black Eyed Peas... that have produced  exceptionally well engineered albums that have been very well pressed.

I have also invested in some very fine quality orchestral vinyl albums that simply transport me into the concert hall for the entire album

But one of the surprises for me was the exceptional engineering quality.of some of my older albums.

• For example, the album  Better Days - with Paul Butterfield, Ronnie Barrou, Amos Garrett Geoff Muldaur, Christopher Parker and Billy Rich
  • It transports me back in time to one of those smoke filled little music halls found in so many cities
  • it is raw talent and raw music with amazing vocals
    • without overproduction,
    • just plain simple music that melts away those pops and crackles.
• There are many others albums I have that evoke a similar emotion - but for me this album is the pinnacle of my collection

The other thing about vinyl - it lets you explore music that is not offered in digital format - like the 1959 pressing I have featuring "Trad Jazz" artist Chris Barber - which is a throwback to my childhood years because he was a favorite of my brother.

I also have some great music stores in the area selling "previously enjoyed" vinyl, so the exploring can also be quite a lot of fun and very rewarding

When it come to vinyl, I like the fact that I have to get up to change sides - it "encourages" me to listen more intently to the entire side.

Some of the newer vinyl albums I mentioned, I also have in Digital format and on my system - they both sound exceptional, too the point where it is difficult to tell them apart.

But I do tend to gravitate to the vinyl version in those moments I want to immerse myself in the music

Even though I have had a turntable since 1981 - I switched to Digital for many  years, but then I decided to dust of the turntable and in that process, I found a whole new listening pleasure.

That's my journey 👴

Apologies for the long post - Steve

Hi guys!

The problem with my turntable is settled.

@audphile1 your suggestion that it's cartridge was important. The first time I discovered the problem was with my new SET tube integrated amplifier. First I thought it's the amplifier. When I understood that  it was the turntable, my first thought was that it it's the RCA cable because the way how it looks.  I did not think then about the cartridge. 

@williewonka, your note that by removing and reinserting the cartridge something can be changed, pushed me to try this. I watched the video (thanks again),  these operations turn out to be not difficult.  I removed the stylus and it was not difficult to see that among the two ends of the styles which connect the the stylus with the   wires, the one corresponding to the right channel was not in the right position - it was bent further to one of the extremal positions. I just bent it to the middle position symmetrically to the end of the left channel. 

That "simple", which unlikely would have been possible without your help

Before that, just yesterday I ordered AT3600L cartridge after watching the video that compares it with the original Rega carbon cartridge, which costs about three times more and unlikely is better  (thanks @knock1 ​​​​). The delivery takes at least one month but there is no urgency any more!