Tale of two turntables
I have two turntables.
One is a Rega P3 with every conceivable groove tracer upgrade. The other is a Lenco L70, also upgraded with an audio creative bearing, idler wheel and sitting in a massive DIY plinth. I’m using an Audio Technica 1009 arm with it.
On the Rega I have an Apheta 2 cart
On the Lenco I have a Denon 103R
These are two VERY different philosophies on how to go about building a turntable and they sound quite different. To my ear, the Rega with the Apheta is very detailed with great realistic timbre and lots of air around the instruments. The Denon with the Lenco is super energetic and emotional with great PRAT and a big soundstage but not nearly as detailed and instruments are not as finely rendered. The Rega sounds like a miniature super fine and detailed painting, while the Denon sounds like a huge canvas with broader and bolder colors. I like both, but if I had to choose it would be the realism of the Rega.
Here’s my question: Would a retip of the Denon and or changing/nuding the body bring it closer to the Apheta? I’m loving the excitement and emotionality of the Denon but I’m craving more detail and air. Am I barking up the wrong tree? Would I be better served looking at a different cart for the AT1009 arm? I know that the Apheta retails for way more than the Denon, so it’s better performance shouldn’t come as a surprise but I’m wondering what the benefits of modding the Denon would be?
I know I could just move the Apheta over to the Lenco, but I kind of want a nice cart on both turntables so I can hear them both at their best side to side.
I agree with @soix . I think you should swap cartridges and see how they sound. The lack of detail in this case, is the cartridge, not the turntable, as you noted. In most cases a $1,900 cartridge will sound better than a $500 cartridge. First switch cartridges then upgrade the cartridge on the Lenco. The Denon has a conical stylus with means (usually) less detail and more quiet in the groove |
The idea is you don't really know what the turntables are doing until you switch the arms AND cartridges from one to the other. (The two preceding posts recommend switching cartridges only; I disagree.) Personally, without any listening, I would take the Lenco over the Rega all day long, just on general principles. I think you mean "L75" or possibly L78, not "L70". Some of the older and lesser Regas (of which your P3 is one) were said to run fast; that alone could account for your perception of detail and timbre. Have you checked speed? |
I've tried the Apheta on the Lenco. It sounds good but I think it's better with the Rega arm. I'm pretty happy with leaving the Apheta on the P3. I realize it's kind of a mismatch in terms of having such a high end cart on such a lowly table but I was able to get the Apheta at a steal bc it had a bent cantilever. Sent it to be 'retipped' but the guy just had to repair the bent cantilever so I got it all said and done for $500. I have the Neo PSU for the P3 so speed is dialed in. @lewm I agree that this is also an issue with the tonearms. I got the Denon 103R because it's low compliance and likes high mass arms, which the AT 1009 is one. I think the Apheta prefers the medium mass Rega arm.
I guess my question was more about what cart should I get for the Lenco? I want something low compliance that has some of the characteristics I like in the Apheta without losing the excitement and big soundstage of the Denon. Wondering if modding the Denon would give me that, or if I should look at something else? |
