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Help: New Rega P3 & Grado Platinum; No highs


This is my first table and it seems terribly simple
to set up but alas, I am defeated. The sound coming
out of this combo is muted, dull, and with no high
frequencies. Switch to my CD and things seem
right again.

What I did:

I aligned the Cart with the cardboard alignment gadget
I set the bias and tracking weight to 0
I balanced the arm to just above the LP using the weight
I set the tracking weight to 1.5
I set the bias to 1.5

Result: dull, lifeless, mushy sound with no highs.

I increased the tracking weight and bias to experiment
but it didn't help. After two 3 hours I decided the right
thing to do was to search for a rope and hang myself but
I couldn't find one so I had a shot of tequila and went to
bed instead.

I also notice that the tone arm lifter level doesn't rise
high enough to push the arm up so I have to slowly
drop the arm on an lp. This seems like it *could*
easily bend the cantilever so I would like to know how
to fix this as well.

I'm in Seattle so if there are any local analogue experts
reading this, I'd love to chat on the phone.

Thanks
Tom
eastside_guy
tacs
220 posts
 
Yes, the Classe must be set to mm operation via internal jumpers. Dull sound results from gain mismatch using mc setting with an mm cartridge.
For a brief time I had almost the exact same setup as you do, and it sounded absolutely marvelous.
Grado and Rega actually do synergistically work, I do not know the basis for Marakanetz' observation here. The only problem with the setup is some hum from the high output cartridge when the cart. moves closer to the motor on the P3 (as it gets closer to the center) - unless you have the low gain version of the Grado, in which case my first point is nullified.
VTA adjustment is not necessary, the Grado's height actually gives the arm a nice slightly tilted back orientation that gives good sound.
Break in as also a factor but check the phono gain first!
All the best
Tom
sdcampbell
2,136 posts
 
I think that Tacs has his finger on the problem. After I read your second post, Eastside, I saw that the cartridge setting in your preamp is for moving coil, which is not what you want to use with your Grado cartridge. Set the preamp for moving magnet inputs, and if you can adjust the impedance settings, I'd try the 47k ohm setting (usually the standard setting for moving magnet cartridges). If your preamp has various alternative settings, you might do a little experimenting to see which ones sound best, but the 47k ohm is the place to start. You may also be able to adjust the gain settings -- if so, a gain of 40 db is sufficient for higher-output Grados (such as my Reference, which has an output of 4.5 mV), while a gain of about 60 db (the gain for many moving coils) may be best for Grados with a 1.5 mV output.
david99
1,467 posts
 
Scott,you the man! The Regas and Grados are a very good match.VTA should be fine with no spacer(s) Set the phono pre to 47K,let the Grado play for 30 or so hours and enjoy sweet analog music! Please let us know how sweet it is!!
eastside_guy OP
29 posts
 
Wow, you guys are great!! I have many leads now.
I set the preamp to MC via an internal jumper because
it seemed like MM didn't have enough volume. I only
tried it for about 10 seconds and felt like the
preamp distorted when it got to 1 o'clock and still
wasn't loud enough. That's why I switched to MC.

I'll see if the MM sounds right if not too soft. If
this fixes it then I just need a highier output Grado.
I went out of my way to get the VPI 1.5mv version
because people said it did better with the hum problem. Well I still hear the hum but its not that bad so long
as the music is playing to drawn it out.

Does the P25 have the hum problem too? I'm thinking
mabye I should have gone that route.

Tom
david99
1,467 posts
 
It sounds like you have a mis-match somewhere.Better take Mr.Campbell up on his offer.
I have a P-25 with a 4.5mV Platinum.I only hear a light hum when the tonearm is raised above the platter.I have never had a hum during music or even between tracks.
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