"I’m tempted to go with the Ania Pro as publications like EAR have reviewed it really well. Think it’s worth the extra $300?"
craigjacoby-I'll backup here. IMHO you're in the diminishing returns area now. As mentioned earlier reviews give perspective, but aren't the end all.
As you see, there is conflicting advice to not even bother with a Rega cart for your Rega table, and consider other brands. Audiophoolery gets extremely subjective at this level.
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If so, what cartridges do people recommend in the $500 - 1,500 price point that reproduce a natural sound with great clarity?
Sorry, I missed that you already stated the price range. At lower side I'd recommend Victor X1IIe, at the higher side i'd like to Recommend Grace LEVEL II with not very high compliance stylus (there are many). |
VPI has better options and better upgrade paths than Rega IMO. Consider VPI for longer term goals such as speed control, better tonearms to optimize better cartridges, heavier plinths, etc. |
@chakster yes, that’s the cartridge I have on the RP6. It was bundled from Upscale Audio. I had issues when it originally arrived as the connections to the cartridge were actually wrong.
I do not. Is there a way to find out what it is for a newbie like me? My advice is to stay away from any Rega cartridges. Tonearm is RB303 or RB330 ? The RB330 arm has an effective mass of 11g. You need a mid compliance cartridge for this tonearm. Victor and Audio-Technica MM cartridges are mid compliance. You could also look for Garrott Brothers cartridges. But I could help you with Victor and spare original stylus. What’s your budget @craigjacoby ? |
@tablejockey thanks Tablejockey. I noticed there’s the Ania and the Ania Pro. If I go this route, I’m tempted to go with the Ania Pro as publications like EAR have reviewed it really well. Think it’s worth the extra $300? |
@goheelz where would you start instead of Rega? |
Craigjacoby-
Your phonostage appears to have sufficient gain to support the Ania.
The Ania should be quite a step up from the exact. |
If you are not sure whether LP playback is for you, try listening to a top flight LP system. Maybe you won’t like it, but at least then you’d know. Rega is not representative of top LP playback, so that would be a factor to consider. In your shoes, I’d do some listening to better analog and then ditch the Rega stuff. |
Your set is very good for the amount you spent. Try some different lps. |
@tablejockey thanks a lot for the feedback. Long story short, but my original set-up when I purchased the Rega was limited to MM which pushed me away from the Ania to the Exact. Painful to know that if I could have just taken the Ania in the first place, I might be completely content with my current analog set-up. |
@chakster yes, that’s the cartridge I have on the RP6. It was bundled from Upscale Audio. I had issues when it originally arrived as the connections to the cartridge were actually wrong.
I do not. Is there a way to find out what it is for a newbie like me? |
This is your cartridge? Do you know your tonearm effective mass? |
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Definitely a cartridge, you need a cartridge from well know cartridge manufacturer, not from a turntable manufacturer.
Try to find an MM with better stylus profile and you will get higher resolution for sure. Shibata or LineContact at least.
Try to find a cartridge with lower moving mass and advanced cantilever and you will hear an improvement. Beryllum, Titanium, Ruby or Boron for example.
Some great cartridges are better even with elliptical tip on advanced cantilever like Boron Pipe or Beryllium etc.
One problem: you will not find a new cartridge at reasonable cost with cantilever/stylus like that. So vintage NOS is the way to go. |
Your turntable and phono stage seem capable. I think your cartridge is the weak link. Try a Benz Ace or Glider, or a Dynavector 20x2L. These should be a significant upgrade within your budget and work well with your turntable and phono stage. |
