I installed a Rega white belt (now known as the Rega Drive Belt Upgrade) six months ago which I purchased online from Music Direct.
I use a Rega 25 powered by an VPI SDS; Benz Glider; played through a Rotel Amp and Pre Amp combo. Speakers are B&W 805 Matrix.
The Upgrade Belt absolutely and dramatically improved the quality of sound from my turntable: the overall music sounds more relaxed and organic; the noise floor has dropped away to a level where each instrument and voice delivers the nth degree of clarity and expressiveness (I sense there is more in the groove being revealed -- "hey there's more expressiveness in John Lennon's voice".) For the first time in my system the bass lines in the tracks are really distinct and clear and tuneful and deep--I can really follow the bass players playing. There is also better depth and breadth of the soundstage. Finally, there is a solidity (and drive) within the soundstage that makes me think the turntable sounds like what I assume a good classic direct-drive turntable (like the early Thorens) sounds like. All in all, this has been the best bang for the buck upgrade I have ever made.
You really can't go wrong purchasing Rega's $60 belt; if you need a replacement belt (which at the time I didn't) you will pay about $40 dollars anyway; so why worry about an extra $20 that in my experience rivaled the value-added of my VPI SDS.
I use a Rega 25 powered by an VPI SDS; Benz Glider; played through a Rotel Amp and Pre Amp combo. Speakers are B&W 805 Matrix.
The Upgrade Belt absolutely and dramatically improved the quality of sound from my turntable: the overall music sounds more relaxed and organic; the noise floor has dropped away to a level where each instrument and voice delivers the nth degree of clarity and expressiveness (I sense there is more in the groove being revealed -- "hey there's more expressiveness in John Lennon's voice".) For the first time in my system the bass lines in the tracks are really distinct and clear and tuneful and deep--I can really follow the bass players playing. There is also better depth and breadth of the soundstage. Finally, there is a solidity (and drive) within the soundstage that makes me think the turntable sounds like what I assume a good classic direct-drive turntable (like the early Thorens) sounds like. All in all, this has been the best bang for the buck upgrade I have ever made.
You really can't go wrong purchasing Rega's $60 belt; if you need a replacement belt (which at the time I didn't) you will pay about $40 dollars anyway; so why worry about an extra $20 that in my experience rivaled the value-added of my VPI SDS.