Tale of two turntables

I know I could just move the Apheta over to the Lenco, but I kind of want a nice cart on both turntables so I can hear them both at their best side to side.

Why wouldn’t you just switch both cartridges and see what happens?  Sheesh. 

I agree with @soix . I think you should swap cartridges and see how they sound. The lack of detail in this case, is the cartridge, not the turntable, as you noted. In most cases a $1,900 cartridge will sound better than a $500 cartridge.

First switch cartridges then upgrade the cartridge on the Lenco. The Denon has a conical stylus with means (usually) less detail and more quiet in the groove

The idea is you don't really know what the turntables are doing until you switch the arms AND cartridges from one to the other. (The two preceding posts recommend switching cartridges only; I disagree.) Personally, without any listening, I would take the Lenco over the Rega all day long, just on general principles.  I think you mean "L75" or possibly L78, not "L70".  Some of the older and lesser Regas (of which your P3 is one) were said to run fast; that alone could account for your perception of detail and timbre.  Have you checked speed?

OP

how is the speed stability with the Rega?

I've tried the Apheta on the Lenco.  It sounds good but I think it's better with the Rega arm.  I'm pretty happy with leaving the Apheta on the P3.  I realize it's kind of a mismatch in terms of having such a high end cart on such a lowly table but I was able to get the Apheta at a steal bc it had a bent cantilever.  Sent it to be 'retipped' but the guy just had to repair the bent cantilever so I got it all said and done for $500.

I have the Neo PSU for the P3 so speed is dialed in.

@lewm I agree that this is also an issue with the tonearms.  I got the Denon 103R because it's low compliance and likes high mass arms, which the AT 1009 is one.  I think the Apheta prefers the medium mass Rega arm.

I guess my question was more about what cart should I get for the Lenco?  I want something low compliance that has some of the characteristics I like in the Apheta without losing the excitement and big soundstage of the Denon.  Wondering if modding the Denon would give me that, or if I should look at something else?

There is a brisk trade in modified versions of the much adored 103. i would seek out an example w a more refined stylus shape w moderate hours… no bent cantilevers…. have fun

Adam, Koetsu's love high mass tonearms, is the first brand that comes to mind.  I run my Urushi in a Fidelity Research FR64S with an Ortofon LH9000 headshell, which alone weighs 18g.  Although I have had the Urushi in technically superior tonearms that had lower effective mass, it never sounded nearly as good as it does in the FR64S/LH9000.  At the least, I would recommend that particular headshell.  Also consider Miyajima and maybe Ikeda cartridges.

thanks guys. I think I'm gonna take the plunge and try modding my denon.  There's a lot to like and I can only imagine it will get better.  @lewm thanks for the recommendation of the headshell, I think I'll try it!

If you are going to have it rebuilt/upgraded I can recommend Steve Leung at VAS.