2. analog
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Upgrade from Rega P3-24 .....

Please take a look at my current updated system's analog front end. I am perhaps considering an upgrade, thinking about the Rega RP6 and the VPI Traveler, with a nicely matching high output MC or MM cartridge. My total budget is around $2000. Would either of these tables be a considerable enough upgrade over my current system to justify a new purchase ? Or would I need to spend more $$$ to really hear an improved sound ? Other thoughts ? I love the way my system sounds now, but may be experiencing a bout of "upgrade fever." I've already taken some aspirin, but the fever won't go away.
adam18
mattmiller's avatar
mattmiller
1,491 posts
 
Ok Adam ,Here it is in a nutshell. The P3/24 table is the WEAK link. The RB301 is awesome arm..Upgrade the Belt It is way better than the cheesy black belt.The stock Subplatter bearing system SUX, noisy, a lot of friction. Upgrade for $250 to the groovetracer ref subplatter,last but not least the Platter get rid of the glass wooly mat combo for a groovetracer acrylic. Beautiful! Now your table is ready :-)

Your welcome,

Matt TX
adam18 OP
670 posts
 
Hey Matt ... Thanks for the "nutshell advice," and my compliments to you on what appears to be a beautiful system. I already have the Herbie's mat in place of the felt, and I'll buy the white belt to replace the black one. As far as the Groovetracer upgrades .... perhaps in the future.
jetrexpro
506 posts
 
Got the Groovetracer Reference Subplatter yesterday for my Rega table. It finished what the White belt started. The White belt made a difference by getting rid of most of the warble and solidifying the images. The subplatter drops the low frequency rumble and further solidifies things. Funny, I didnt even notice how much low rumble was present until it is now absent. As I listened to many records, I noticed added detail and ambience that was previously obscured. I can sum it up as a much healthier, bigger sound. If you are thinking of upgrading your subplatter, I would advise getting the White belt or at the very least a new belt before you do the subplatter. Lots of improvement with the white belt alone. This table stomps all over my Ayon CD player. Vinyl is sounding so good, I am thinking I don't even need to add expensive caps and resistors to my homebrew Audio Note phono pre.
tripg
21 posts
 
I'm extremely late to the party... I have a p5. I upgraded to the white belt a few months ago and noticed an improvement. I upgraded to the groovetracer subplatter and I'm amazed at the difference. Your explanation was exactly what I experienced.
jetrexpro
506 posts
 
Tripg, The Subplatter is an upgrade that doesnt change the character of the Rega's sound and I am still enjoying it. Recently I changed from the Rega Exact cart to an Audio Note IQ 3. The Exact has a natural synergy and the Audio Note does as well. It also works very well with my hacked home brew Audio Note M3 Phono Pre. The AN guys use Rega arms on their turntables. - Enjoy! Jet
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