Rega Elys II cartridge: Is it worth the money??

I find this to be an interesting thread for a couple of reasons.

First, I agree with Audiofeil to some degree. The "degree" has everything to do with ones perception of high-end. I am of the camp who believes the Rega is not high-end. Still, it is a decent value for the market that it serves, which I believe is an entry point to high-end audio. If Audiofeil and I are on the same page, then the word "high" is the one of greatest emphasis. The definition of the the term, high-end is one often bantered about, but what does it mean? That perceived definition alone may be the point of contention that separates many of us. I believe it should mean something special.

Second, I agree with Piedpiper to some degree. His grasp of Rega's role is a good one, but he neglects to point out that the cartridge he recommends, a Clearaudio Aurum Beta S, is little more than a dressed up AT-95E, a $35 cartridge. So was the Linn K9, so I suppose that's ok, too. In any event, the Rega lineup is important in that it starts many on their move up the chain. It's like that first little hit of something different on the way to becoming a hardcore, mainlining audiophile. ;)

I haven't heard the Elys II, but I've heard the Exact on a P7 and was very impressed with its ease of presentation, air, detail, and musicality. It had detail but didn't beat you over the head with it. That said, I think (based on my experience listening to what I now own) that the Audio-Technica AT150MLX has a similar sonic signature to the Exact, but if you can put up with a conventional 2-point mounting system and some DIY alignment, the AT150MLX gives a run for the Exact's money (at least), but it can be had for $250 and--unlike the Rega MM carts--the stylus is replaceable at $179.95.

I had been running a Denon DL-160 into a vintage Amber Model 17 preamp. Then I decided to try a Cambridge 640p phono stage. I got a nice upgrade in resolution, extension, and especially s/n ratio. I heard so much more, it prompted me to try the AT150MLX. Now I felt like we were cookin' with gas. Finally, I felt that my speakers were holding the resolution of the system back so I upgraded to Mirage OMD-15s, and it turned out to be true.

With all those upgrades, the AT150MLX just kept sounding better, which means that it was (and is) tracking out the details and conveying the meat of the music. I'm getting a rich, full, lush sound largely because of the AT150MLX's speed, clarity, sonic perspective, separation, linearity, and extension at both frequency extremes.

The fact remains that practically all phono cartridges beyond the B.O.T.L units are grossly overpriced, making listening to Vinyl almost a rich man's hobby: assuming you must buy new. I avoid that like the plague. Occasionally I get burned, but at today's inflated prices I'm still ahead of the game.

I bought my Elys2 from a guy who bought it new and wasn't too impressed. Neither was I - having replaced an Elys 1(slightly better than a Grado Gold sans hum). I persisted though and as I bid on a Denon 160 and ran through the replace cartridge checklist for my RB300, all of a sudden I was listening to a different cartridge(I had changed nothing! this was after 25 hrs listening-adding to the 25 the p.owner had put on it). A deep, rich, full-bodied more detailed sound issued from my speakers that became rapidly more and more beguiling. This cartridge has a thing for drum kits!

Irritatingly I won the DL160 bid! Now what? Luckily the 160's stylus was so badly gunge'd it took a while to clean it! But I did. I fitted it. VERY flashy HI FI wise and great fun to listen to: GREAT Stereo imaging. After a while though I found myself missing the beguiling Elys2 and refitted it. The 160 sits languishing! A DL 160 retails for $190, the Elys2 another 60% more. But I've now bought 3 Elys at a 1/3rd the retail price - thanks Mikey! At it's retail price I wouldn't buy it, and be contented with a DL160; but with both...buy used - with that break-in period...

A previous incarnation of my system employed a Rega P3 with RB300 arm. I thought it logical to stick with a Rega cartridge due to presumed compatibility with the arm and ease of set-up. It replaced a likely decades-old Supex cartridge which was a throw-in with the used table. And I was never happy with the sound of the P3/RB300 with the Rega Elys so I sold it (the Supex sounded way, way better). The elys was replaced with the slightly more expensive Dynavector 10x4Mk2 (the 10x5's predecessor) and let me tell you - the difference was night and day. Compared to the dyna, the elys was strident, un-natural sounding, compressed and extremely unpleasant.

When it comes to budget turntables and especially tonearms Rega is a great choice. For cartridges they are easily bettered. If I were you I'd steer very clear of Rega cartridges.

I would suggest to get Audio Note IQ cart. I had Dynavector 10x5 on my P3 RB300 combo, and replaced it with Audio Note IQ2. Tremendous change.