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RB300 tonearm cable upgrade?

I have a Rega Planar 3 with the factory supplied RB300 tonearm and microbenz silver MC cartridge. I have heard that the RB300 is a very decent tonearm given the price, but I am concerned that the cable which is supplied with the tonearm is poor quality and doesn't have a ground wire like most of the better quality arms I am familiar with. I have recently purchased an Aloia 13.01 amp which I will mate with my ARC SP-9 and B&W 802 Matrix 3 speakers. I use Kimber cable (biwired) and Tara Labs interconnects. Any opinions on the cable issue? Should I consider spending money to upgade the cable, change to a better tonearm, or look at trading the entire turntable for a better table such as the Rega 9.

I would appreciate any feedback. Thanks,

Howard
howbell
twl
3,251 posts
 
There is a DIN available from Galen Carol Audio that must be soldered in place at the base of the arm post. It goes on all rega arms, but you have to cut and solder. DIN is made by Cardas. Will fit your RB300 as well as Nrchy's RB900. Repeat: you have to cut your arm cable, and solder the Cardas DIN on.
alliedtvandsound
74 posts
 
I agree with everbody's input above. Definetly the stock tonearm wiring could use improvement. Don't know is I'd invest close to $300 on the (tonearm wiring) upgrade, but between $100-$200 sounds resonable and your T/T will sound WAY better.

p.j.
howbell OP
3 posts
 
Thanks for all the input. My concern about cutting the arm cable to solder the Cardas DIN connection is that the internal wiring in the arm presumably stays in place. If they used substandard cable, I doubt the internal wire is great either. Does anyone have contact information for Lauerman and Galen Carol Audio. I wouldn't mind chasing down those leads.

One option I would consider at this point is to upgrade the arm cable with the intent of upgrading to a better table down the road and keeping the arm since I have seen it coupled with better quality tables from other manufacturers. Any comments on the relative merits of the RB300 arm vs. other sub-$1000 arms?
twl
3,251 posts
 
The RB300 is a very good arm. If you want to spend more, then have a look at the Origin Live website. They do wiring mods, structural mods, VTA adjusters, etc., to Rega arms, and even make their own arms, which is what I bought, the OL Silver 250. Galen Carol Audio has all their stuff. I got mine there, and was happy with the product and the service. Just type Galen Carol Audio into your search engine. I use Google, and he pops up right away.
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