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Stock Rega arm-wiring -- how Cheesey???

Guys,

I'm setting up a BIX turntable with a stock Rega RB250 and I bought an upgrade stainless steel counterweight and arm stub. I'm concerned that the stock arm cable appears cheesey, cheap, cheap, cheap. I see a lot of folks upgrading the wiring. My question is: just how terrible is the stock wire? Is it at least listenable?

I also have a Profile II arm, which I was thinking of mounting instead, but I'm concerned that the armboard hole might be in the wrong location (for proper geometry) because the pivot-to-stylus distance is 10mm shorter on the Profile arm.

Any comments or suggestions? If someone has used the stock Rega arm wire and then switched to something better, I'd be interested in hearing your impressions of how the sound improved.

Thanks!
plato
gslone
274 posts
 
Hey Plato, I had a Rega RB600 arm with stock cable that I was pretty happy with on a Basis TT, until I upgraded to the Vector arm. Check out Galen Carol Audio, (www.gcaudio.com) he has info and Incognito wiring kit upgrades for Rega arms.
plato OP
1,543 posts
 
Thanks Gslone, I appreciate your experience. I think I'm going to hook it up tomorrow and see what I get. It may not be all that bad. :)
judy426
228 posts
 
The cable in the 250 is no better than the arm itself.
nzera
68 posts
 
It also depends on your cartridge and listening preferences. I had a Clearaudio MM cartridge that was a great match with the original wired Rega arm- but was too aggressive and detailed with 'upgraded' wiring. Whereas a Shelter sounded much better after the wiring upgrade. The stock Rega wiring is a bit more forgiving, which can be a good thing with less than perfect vinyl and if you are using some MM carts. The counterweight upgrade made an improvement in every case.
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