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Help me decide between these two turntable/cartridge combinations

In about 6 weeks I plan to pull the trigger on a new turntable/cartridge combination. I have narrowed it down, and am torn between the following two:

·         Rega Planar 8 with Apheta 2 Cartridge ($4295)

·         EAT C-Sharp with Ortofon Quintet Black ($3,995)

These two turntable/cartridge combinations are at the very limit of what I can spend – in fact the Rega is really pushing the limit. I’m looking at these combinations because of the discount that comes from bundling these cartridges with the turntable – plus they come installed from the factory.

One of the requirements I have is that the turntable must have a low profile – the total height cannot exceed 5.3 inches. This rules out other models like ones from VPI, Pro-Ject, etc.

These two turntables take totally different approaches – with the Rega being very lightweight and rigid, vs. the EAT which weighs three times what the Rega weighs.

The equipment I would be using it with – a Parasound P6 preamp and A21 Power Amplifier, and B&W 702s2 speakers with DB4S Subwoofer. The listening area is a finished basement – wall-to-wall carpeted with padding underneath, on top of concrete, so a good strong foundation is in place.

I listen to about 50% classical, 25% Jazz/Blues and 25% classic rock. Most of my records are fairly high quality – MoFi Original Master Recordings, Deutsche Grammophon, etc.

I’ve searched through this forum – the Rega has received great comments (as well as great reviews from the magazines). Not as much on the EAT, although Absolute Sound was fairly positive. I found it interesting in this forum someone got the EAT and returned it due to mechanical noise/vibration (through the Audio). They replaced it with the Rega P8 which did not have this problem.

One possible concern – I sometimes play my records loud, and my speakers are only about 4-5 feet away from where the turntable is. I’m wondering which of these two might be better under these circumstances. It does not seem to be a problem with my current turntable – a 35 year old Bang and Olufsen 2404 turntable with MMC-2 cartridge.

Comments? Which one would you prefer and why, or would you recommend some other table/cartridge combination that is low profile and under $4,000?
btanchors

Showing 2 responses by audiotroy

audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
3,884 posts
 
OP here are the facts about the Rega RP 8/Alpheta 2 combo.
We are long time Rega dealers and the combo is fantastic, musical and super easy to setup.

We have found that the Rega RP8/Alpheta 2 combo is unbeatable for the price.

The new Rega RP 8 and the 10 are based on the $30k Nyiad test bed reference table that is Roy Gandy's ultimate expression of a low mass design.

Unlike EAT Rega makes the Alpeta 2 to work perfectly with the matching tonearm, EAT uses an Ortophon which is an excellent cart but this cart is not designed to work specifically with the EAT tonearm. 

We were looking at switching to the EAT table but the Ortophon cart that came with the table wasn't in the same league as the Alpheta 2 cart and that was based on the previous version.
😊

The Rega Planner 8 is a $3,700.00 table the Alpheta 2 is an $1,900 cart.
the 2 together should cost $5,400.00 the two purchased together are $4,300.00 which is a $1,200.00 off the price, so for the money you are getting a really good phono cart.

The Alpheata 2 is an exceptional cart that is way more musical than the Alpheta 1 which had a peak on the top end, the new Alpheta 2 is fast and articulate and very musical.

Rega's new products are really fantastic and are way better in terms of musical qualities over the older Rega products.

We have played our demo Rega P8/Alpheta combo for people through out the years and people are always totally blown away by the sound of the Rega P8/Alpheta 2 combo, the newest Planner 8 Alpheta is a dramatic improvement over the previous version and in terms of pace, rhythmic timing, and articulation. 

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ  Rega dealers
audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
3,884 posts
 
Kcomess, many people love the idea of a simple and elegant setup that works right out  of the box.

One of the strongest attributes of both of these tables is the cart is premounted, well it is on the Rega, would assume the EAT is also premounted.

So the vinyl neophyte can just unbox, put the platter on and do tracking force and is good to go.

A used table may have bearing damage or may have an issue with compatibility in cart that may be in a price range that the buyer would want.

Yes it is possible to get a better used table but then you open yourself to useage issues, setup issues, and possibly warranty issues.

For this reason many people prefer to purchase a well setup well matched trouble free analog rig that comes with an excellent cart and the work has been done by the manufactuer to match everything together perfectly.

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ Rega dealers
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