Dear Ctsooner,
Great post as well. Just a few comments:
The RP6 retails for $1,500.00 but its basically an RP3 with the TT-PSU included which, IMHO, is Rega's least attractive offer. Basically no significant sonic difference from the $200.00 least expensive Rega RP40. That said, at $1,300.00, it has no business sounding this good!
The Clearaudio Concept and the VPI Traveler may be included in this cateory but they are priced at least $200.00 more. Actually, I did a head to head comparison between the Clearaudio Concept (Concept MM cartridge) and the Marantz TT-15s1 (Virtuoso cartridge) and the Marantz, hands down, blew the Concept away. Similar engineering, much better cart.
Your Basis 1400S with a Rega arm goes for around $3,500.00 (add at least another $1,000.00 or so if you purchased it with the Vector tonearm) plus another $1,200.00 for the Glider S and now you're in the $4,700.00 - $5,700.00 range.
My point is that it will be unfair to compare the RP6 with Linn LP12, Basis 1400S, VPI Classic, WT Amadeus, etc. Now, the RP8 ($3,000.00) and/or the RP10 ($5,500.00) would be a fair comparison.
Rega TTs up to the RP6 are considered a great value albeit their limitations. This is why so many Rega owners love to tweak their TTs. Groovetracer's (to name just one company) reference sub-platter (zirconium ball/sapphire thrust plate), delrin platter, and counterweight are superior to Rega's entry level equals, but no longer necessary when you move up to the RP8/RP10 line.
One more comment, did you try the RP6 sitting on top of the Ginko platform? Because I agree with you %100 that all turntables need special attention to isolation, specially lightweight TTs like Rega!
That alone may have been the reason with the RP6 sounded thin to your ears. My heavily modified RP3 is sitting on top of a custom made, 50 pounds sand box, replaced the rubber feet with threaded/adjustable brass cone footers, and the level of resolution, dynamic impact, sense of focus, and overall musicality it produces is breathtaking!
As you can see, I'm a big fan of Rega turntables :-)
In the end, there is no right or wrong, just MUSIC BABY!
Happy listening!
Great post as well. Just a few comments:
The RP6 retails for $1,500.00 but its basically an RP3 with the TT-PSU included which, IMHO, is Rega's least attractive offer. Basically no significant sonic difference from the $200.00 least expensive Rega RP40. That said, at $1,300.00, it has no business sounding this good!
The Clearaudio Concept and the VPI Traveler may be included in this cateory but they are priced at least $200.00 more. Actually, I did a head to head comparison between the Clearaudio Concept (Concept MM cartridge) and the Marantz TT-15s1 (Virtuoso cartridge) and the Marantz, hands down, blew the Concept away. Similar engineering, much better cart.
Your Basis 1400S with a Rega arm goes for around $3,500.00 (add at least another $1,000.00 or so if you purchased it with the Vector tonearm) plus another $1,200.00 for the Glider S and now you're in the $4,700.00 - $5,700.00 range.
My point is that it will be unfair to compare the RP6 with Linn LP12, Basis 1400S, VPI Classic, WT Amadeus, etc. Now, the RP8 ($3,000.00) and/or the RP10 ($5,500.00) would be a fair comparison.
Rega TTs up to the RP6 are considered a great value albeit their limitations. This is why so many Rega owners love to tweak their TTs. Groovetracer's (to name just one company) reference sub-platter (zirconium ball/sapphire thrust plate), delrin platter, and counterweight are superior to Rega's entry level equals, but no longer necessary when you move up to the RP8/RP10 line.
One more comment, did you try the RP6 sitting on top of the Ginko platform? Because I agree with you %100 that all turntables need special attention to isolation, specially lightweight TTs like Rega!
That alone may have been the reason with the RP6 sounded thin to your ears. My heavily modified RP3 is sitting on top of a custom made, 50 pounds sand box, replaced the rubber feet with threaded/adjustable brass cone footers, and the level of resolution, dynamic impact, sense of focus, and overall musicality it produces is breathtaking!
As you can see, I'm a big fan of Rega turntables :-)
In the end, there is no right or wrong, just MUSIC BABY!
Happy listening!