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Rega Apheta 3 Capacitance 1000pF???

Thanks to those who have helped me suss out my Aria humm issue recently.  (It had lovely sound, but interacted with my integrated too much).  I'm looking to get into a different phono stage and have noted with raised eyebrows that the Rega Apheta 3 cartridge wants 1000pF???  Manley, Herron, Parasound, Sutherland, Musical Fidelity units all top out their spec at about 350pF.  I've read and understand (as an audiophile layman - not an EE here) how "restricted" capacitance might effect a cartridge's sound; and have also read that in practice - with good gear - this typically isn't an issue.  So, a few questions please: (1) Why would Rega spec a cartridge with 1000pF?  Just to try to keep a consumer in the Rega stable (Aria; Aura)?  (2)  Who out there has experience with a phono stage not speced to a cartridge's capacitance rating and how did it go?  Bright mids?  Muted high end?  Just fine?

I'm happy to hear plugs for any - or other - phono stages mentioned above.  I've read most of the commentary on all of them at this and other forums.  I have essentially made up my mind at this point, having chatted with both the very helpful deisgner of one of those units, and a very knowledgable salesman repping others.

Thanks!
sumadoggie

Showing 1 response by jimkiely

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jimkiely
9 posts
 
Brother -

I have a Luxman EQ-500 paired with a Rega Planar-10/Apheta 3 cartridge. I do actually have an issue and it pertains to volume.

For other equipment I have a PS Audio 250 amp and the company's Signature preamp. I have no sound quality issue with the DAC or my CD player, both of which eventually run through my preamp - it's all great.

On the PS Audio volume scale of 0-100, the comfortable listening level for me is around 40; loud is 65; clear the room out is 80. That is, unless I'm using the turntable, in which case the comfortable listening level is 70. At that level, I can detect a small bit of fraying in the upper midrange.

The Luxman and the Rega and the Apheta all check out fine, but putting them together seems to cause a deficiency in my system. My guess is that, though all of the components are excellent, the Rega/Apheta and Luxman pairing is not optimal.

Any opinions out there? 
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