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Rega P25 Tonearm Lift

Here is my stupid question of the day. Hopefully somebody can help. I installed a Grado Sonata cartridge on my P25. Alignment and tracking force are set correctly. My problem is that the height of the cartridge doesn't allow it to clear the LP when using the tonearm lift lever. I have to manually pick the tonearm off the record when done listening. Does anybody know if the lift is adjustable-the manual makes no mention of it. Or-has somebody run into this with there own setup and perhaps developed a 'rig' for it? Any suggestions would be appreciated.
sg69
twl
3,251 posts
 
If this is an older P25, you may have to replace the silicone fluid in the cueing device, but I really don't think that any P25s are old enough for that yet. You might try putting some thin strips of velcro on the arc-shaped piece that lifts the arm, to give it some more height. In general, I recommend that Rega users stay away from Grado cartridges for a wide variety of reasons, and this apparently is another one.

Why do so many Rega owners buy Grado cartridges, when it has been known for years that there are all kinds of problems with that combination?
david99
1,467 posts
 
I had a P-25 with a Grado woody and had no problems at all.
Why do people buy Rega and Grado? Because its a great sounding combo.
I never had a problem with the lift and I wouldnt bother putting velcro or anything else on it.There must be an adjustment.Call Lauerman and see what he says.
twl
3,251 posts
 
2 out of 3 have hum problems.
david99
1,467 posts
 
Twi-please explain how you know 2 out of 3 have "hum problems"
twl
3,251 posts
 
It's all over this website. If you look through the archives, I'm sure you'll come up with plenty of references to the "dreaded Grado hum" when used with Rega TT's. The Grado cartridges are highly susceptible to hum fields, and the Rega TTs have the motor right under the platter. It has been stated by many, other than myself, that about 2/3 of the Rega/Grado combinations will have a hum problem. Not all do.

It's just a well-known fact. I'm not making this up, in some kind of attempt to knock Rega or Grado. It's just not an ideal combo, unless you get lucky. If you are one of the lucky ones, then that's great.

When I worked at the audio shop, we wouldn't sell a Grado to a Rega owner, unless he brought his TT in and let us try it first to see if it hummed.

I can't help the fact that it happens, I just report on it. I'm not looking for an argument about it. I thought that maybe I could save some people from getting a problem, by mentioning it. There are plenty of other cartridges out there that sound good, and don't have this hum sensitivity.
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