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Upgrades for Rega P3. Worth it?

Good afternoon, all. Have been considering various upgrades to my Rega P3 and wondering if anyone could share their own experiences with this. In particular, looking for real advice on whether certain upgrades were worthwhile and/or had an observable benefit to sound quality to people who've done them.

I currently have a P3 with an Ortofon 2M Blue cartridge, Clearaudio counterweight, and Pro-ject Tube Box SE II phono stage. Potential upgrades I have considered:
Rega TT PSU power supply,
Groovetracer (or other) subplatter,
Groovetracer (or other) acrylic platter (vs. stock glass),
Phono cartridge replacement

Are any of these really worth doing?
nichomoff
tommyboy65
12 posts
 
Hi Nichomoff,

I think your proposed upgrades are all worthy. I have a P5 and have upgraded it with a Groovetracer subplatter, Delrin platter, counterweight and Rega white belt. It really has transformed the sound of the P5 for the better.

I would start with the subplatter, which would make the most dramatic difference, followed by the speed box.

Look into ditching the Ortofon Blue for a better cartridge. You could go Bronze or Black, or better yet, a Dynavector cart, which matches well with Rega arms.

Good luck!
orpheus10
8,668 posts
 

Rega P3 plus upgrades equal Sota Saphire minus the suspension.

P3- 24 motor upgrade + incognito tone arm wire + Deluxe Groove tracer subplatter + Heavy Weight for tonearm + Iron Audio Acrylic Platter = Sota Saphire, and this is according to someone who owns both tables.

Only you can decide whether or not it's worth it.

Enjoy the music.
nichomoff OP
16 posts
 
Thanks for all the advice! Looks like many folks here are positive on the upgrades. Suppose I shouldn't be too surprised. :)

I also forgot to mention I've been using an old Tri-Pad turntable mat over the glass platter. Have read very good things about this and have been pretty happy with it vs. the stock felt. Anyone else use one of these?

Think over the next year or so I will go for the belt replacement (I think it's time anyway) as well as the Groovetracer subplatter and maybe a Dynavector 10x5 to replace the 2M Blue.
nichomoff OP
16 posts
 
Also kind of wondering what kind of impact the turntable mat has on overall performance. For example, if the mat itself is not perfectly flat, does that simply negate the benefits of a more precisely-machined subplatter?
plastico's avatar
plastico
13 posts
 
The biggest bang I got for my P3 was the GT subplatter, GT Delrin platter, and the Michael Lim motor isolation base. And of course, the 24v motor upgrade.
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