Rega p10 vs SME 12A


The Rega P10 appears in the audiophile mags as "as good as it gets" for the money. The price has gone up to $6,350. I am also looking at the SME 12A, but for six grand more. 

If I am steered to the Rega, would I be better off skipping the $4650 Aphelion? Is that cart so well suited to that machine that I couldn't do better for the money?

Thanks

 

marshinski15

Showing 1 response by oberoniaomnia

TT choice depends a lot of whether you are a gear fiddler or a music lover.

I had a VPI with VTA on the fly with SoundSmith Zephyr cart. I could not hear any difference in VTA setting by just playing the record. I had to play the same record on TT and digital file at same time, and switch between the two sources quickly. Then I could notice an oh-so-slight change in the difference of the sound. Accordingly, for me, optimization of VTA based on thickness of vinyl was impossible, and even when I could hear the difference by direct comparison, it was so slight there are so many other variables that make more of a difference (e.g. sitting back or leaning forward in chair) that it was not worth bothering with.

I now have a Rega Naia package, no adjustments possible, and I enjoy listening to my records.