Rega P9 or VPI Classic1 - Which would you choose??


Help me out here ladies and gentlemen. Relative sonic differences between the two? Obviously vastly different design approaches but what is the result? Assume the cartridge would be the same.

P9 has RB1000 and power supply speed control. VPI has the OEM tonearm.

Thanks!!!

billandsol

I have a rega planar 25, so upgrading. Most people say the vpi’s are fuller sounding.

thoughts?

@billandsol - I’m Not a fan of Rega - so out of the two I would go with the VPI, but even that has some design deficiencies, despite the +ve feedback from owners.

My preference (if I were buying) is Music Hall - they are very well designed and do not suffer from the design deficiencies of the other two.

The MMF 9.3 is in the same snack bracket

mmf-9.3 turntable with music hall’s unique triple plinth construction (musichallaudio.com)

THE Music hall MMF 9.3 offerS the following design features

  • music hall’s unique triple plinth construction
  • one-piece full carbon fiber tonearm
  • fully adjustable VTA, azimuth, and dampened arm lift mechanism
  • counterweight’s center of gravity is level with the stylus tip, is decoupled from the arm, and acts as a resonance damper
  • completely isolated/decoupled DC motor with 33 1⁄3 and 45 rpm speed controls located in the front left corner of the turntable, thus canceling any potential vibration from the motor/belt to the cartridge
  • motor sits on its own resonance damping puck
  • optional Goldring Eroica LX low-output moving-coil cartridge with Gyger II line contact stylus ($795 value)
  • the cartridge supplied is properly aligned and mounted
  • inverted ceramic main bearing for super quiet, fluid operation
  • non resonant, 1” thick acrylic platter
  • soft felt platter mat
  • high quality gold RCA connectors and detachable phono cable
  • adjustable tip toe feet with anti scratch cups
  • low noise fully manual belt drive design
  • built-in round spirit level for proper leveling
  • dust cover and 45 rpm adaptor included

The mmf 11.3 is even nicer, but a little more expensive

Hope that helps - Steve

Be sure to check out what kind of tonearm is on the VPI. I have a Classic II and was unaware that it comes/came with a "Uni-pivot" tone arm. A uni-pivot is like a small nail sticking up from the tonearm base. You place the tonearm cup over the nail which is the sole support. This system works well in a child-free environment. This was all new to me as I was used to "Gimballed" arms that securely hold everything in place. The Classic II makes nice music and I don’t have a problem with the uni-pivot but you might.

FWIW: I formerly owned a Music Hall (7.1 ?). I was installing a new cartridge and broke a lead. I contacted MH who said they could not help me rewire the tonearm.