Kumza Stabi S or Rega P10 ??

@karl_desch 

How is your friend liking the P10? 

What is a Wally Analysis? 

Thanks for the responses guys..Yeah my issue that is holding me back right now is the Stabi offers a better upgrade path if I want to change Tonearms etc where the P10 is more closed system and you have to modify with shims for carts outside their ecosystem. Not sure that present any sonic issues, and likely could be swayed into the table that sounds best, but just don't have the chance to audition both. 

With that said the cart will be umami Red, no question about it. So I'd have to shim on the Rega. I like the idea of being able to change the arms etc but have only been into vinyl for about a year and half (hifi for over 25 years) so I don't figured out if I am a fiddler or set-it-and-forget-it kind of user. Don't have a ton of time so maybe set and forget if I had to choose. I do love the design of both tables with an appreciation for Kuzma a smidge more given their reputation in high end. 

Yes you are correct..Not sure if that power supply regulator is necessary out of the gate but in the process of finding out. 

I am not sure one is really lights out better than the other when it comes to sound, just comes down to details of what works best. Having a hard time pulling myself off the upgrade path. But I do have a dealer who will sell me the P10 and give me a years worth of trade at full value if I don't like it

thanks...Ok let's throw a curve ball into the mix. Let's add Feickert into this. Woodpecker with a Shick.Which of the three do you like? 

Thanks! Do you have it all set up yet? How are you liking it? 

Yes this is my stopping point on the P10 just the fact you can't tinker with it later, almost zero upgrade path outside of another cart or isolation tinkering. How did you like the P10 when you listened to it? 

The Trio is a sweet table, you will enjoy that for many years. 

@dcevans 

Thanks for the information, very helpful. I keep vacillating back between the tables leaning more towards Feickert as my dealer will sell me his lightly used demo with a Schick. I still like the P10 for the slam dunk value it offers and he will give me alot of runway if I decide I want to trade it back for something else. I am putting either a Hana Red or Blue on ant of these tables. Likely the Red.

Funny you mention the Trio there is a used Trio out there right now I was considering but by the time I am done configuring it it's spendy. Trying to keep it all under $8k. 

@rwanda 

What cart are you running on your Kuzma? In full disclosure part of the issue for me is the dealer who sold me my current table, which is a year old, is giving me close to full trade towards Rega or Feickert, he does not sell Kuzma. So this is the fly in ointment when it comes Kuzma.

He's given me so much help and advice over the course of time I feel a certain loyalty. But I am still considering ways to make the Kuzma work and maybe throw him the , cart and phono business. 

Thanks for all the advice...I am coming around to the idea of set and forget, and the cart I want doesn't need shims. I figure I can always tinker with phono stages. Might be a good thing one less thing to mess with and spend more money on! 

Now I am just wrestling with the sound element between them tables and high mass vs low mass. Maybe its in my head but I wonder if the P10 will sound too lean. I am thinking the Hana red resolves that though. More I sit on the idea more I like the P10 more and more. Doesn't mean I am decided though! Narrowed to the Feickert with the Schick or the P10..Both would have the Red on it. 

@tablejockey 

I'd at least like the option to change carts once in a great while..Also the Hana doesn;t need to be shimmed so I think it comes down personal preference. But why do you think those carts will be less fuss than a another cart that doesn't need shims?

@rsf507 

Elaborate on that comment. The hana fits with no shims. Cartridge alignment is like any table where you adjust into it. So what is it you are referring to with that comment? Are you suggesting if I use a cart other than a Rega it will not align? 

@pindac 

What is a DD TT? 

@rsf507 

it still has full adjustment available without any added complexity of the P-Mount detachable headshell. 

The Tonearm on the P10 is alot of the reason it's still on my list. 

@richdirector

Well said! I do tend to agree with this..I’ve spent the last 25 years fiddling with digital analyzing the results which in the end is losers game. I leaning to the P10 at this point.

I just put in the newest Van Alstine phono stage into my system replacing the onboard thats in my Sugden IA4. Kind of gobsmacked by how much better it is. Everything is better, low level listening, detail, dynamics, and it's just as smooth as the Sugden phono. Pulled the entire soundstage forward. I don’t know anything but that onboard phono I’ve used in my Integrated, so I can’t compare this to others but sure taught me what a difference the phono makes in the chain.

@pindac 

Yeah I considered them, still open to them, but they solve one problem while creating some of their own unique issues. I am not in the camp of one being better than the other, I think both (belt & DD) have their own merits and drawbacks. The Luxman looks nice though

Got the P10 with the Hana red, listened for a couple hours last night. I am borrowing a set of speakers (New Sim Audio monitors) while I await my Falcon Gold Badges. so everything I am thinking at this point may not be the turntable. 

First impressions, are it sounds light, delicate, airy, decent bass. Overall I feel like I lost some warmth and weight I had with my previous TT. Tons of detail retreival, some of the best I've heard and I have owned MSB DACs and Antipodes servers before I went all analog. So far, I am just sort of luke-warm on the sound, don't love it, don't hate. This may all due to break-in of the cart, speakers are broken in. 

I may have to at least create the option for myself to audition the Feickert and see if I hear any significant differences. 

I think was working through the break in with the cartridge, I underestimated that apparently. Things are sound superb. Table and Cart are a lovely combination so far. Warm, tight bass, smooth, and super detailed but delicately detailed. 

@dbagstrick 

thank you, great advice. I am reserving judgement from now until I feel its run-in. I'd describe the table a neutral, compared to my last table anyway (Mofi Ultradeck) which had a warmer presentation overall. I do love the tone arm on this table, it's so beautifully designed. My one peck at it so far is this damn merino wool mat they use sticking to my records! Not all, but some I need to destat. I might trade it out for a Stein mat anyway. 

I will say this, the Cart I am using (umami Red) definitely sounds better than the MSB Premier DAC I had for years and sold recently, so there's that. I have zero complaints on the price of the Umami Red, in fact they could charge more. 

@dbagstrick I have not cleaned them yet, but that is on my list of things for sure. trying to decide to just get a $200 set up or go big. I will keep this in mind though. 

Well here is a new and unexpected wrinkle in my time with the P10 so far as I audition phono stages.

I have a Konus 1000 Phono stage in house to listen to (it’s wonderful), with my P10 it’s making a very undesirable, very audible hum to my speakers. This is mainly due to Regas old school ground wiring scheme from back when MM was more popular. Most companies (technics for example) have moved away from that to full balanced wiring.

This will likely preclude me from using any dual mono, (possibly fully balanced) Phono stages without living with this hum issue. This to me, is yet another limitation to the Rega tables, and to me the P10 shouldn’t have this lack of flexibility at it’s price.

Been running the p10 for a solid few weeks now every day. Love the table, love the catridge. Happy with the choice. Compliments my gear VERY well. I put the P10 on an HRS, not sure it even needed it but sure looks nice. 😂

Overall set and forget it fine for me for now until I get the itch again. This is however an EXCELLENT turntable. Lively and neutral with great bass.