If you want to spend a little extra money, I'd consider the following upgrades...in no particular order...
One, step up to a p25. Better arm, better arm cable, better speed control and motor.= better sound all around.
Following work on any rega tables and arms...
Upgrade the felt mat. I liked the ringmat. Better highes, better resolution.
Upgrade the arm counterweight. Express Machining makes one. This is a major improvement. Again, detail, quietness, bottom end.
Try some different ways to isolate the table.
Rega feels that any breaks in the arm cable (like a din plug) offer less than a pristine connection, Origin live does have a complete replacement kit, I've never heard it so I can't offer a opinion.
As far as ac cord, try pluging it into a speed controler, again, I haven't heard this personally, but have seen posts loving it.
Just my opinion...ymmv |
Why are you worried about power cord & ICs? You just purchased a TT with a utility-regulated AC synchronous motor! Remember, half the music is in the record, the time domain half is provided by the TT... |
Jrech makes some very good points there.
I might suggest the VTA adjusting collar from OL or Expressimo also.
Psychicanimal also makes a good point. But you will have to change the motor or get a different TT to upgrade in that area. |
Another way to upgrade is to spend your money on the very best cartridge you can afford. I am not that familiar with the Rega line myself, but I am sure that the analog gurus on this site can help you pick out a really nice cartridge for your P3, one that will maximize its strengths. You should figure out what you are willing to spend on a cartridge (And then double it! Sorry, but they do tend to be expensive.)
Good Luck! |
Thanks jfrech and Twl. And I'm not "worried" about anything; I was wondering what the groupthink is on this subject 'sall. I read about folks round these parts taking a perfectly good 5K CDP and tweaking it to the point of being unrecognizable in all but the trademark on the panel. So I was curious about what one might do with a reasonable quality TT that is all stock and seems bent on staying that way.
I also have some minor line noise, and upgrading cables has helped so far but not completely. If I could eliminate that as a possible source--if it indeed could be a contributor at all--I'd prefer to try that rather than drop a bunch of money on a land use attorney to appeal my permit app to build a new dedicated nuclear reactor in my back yard. I'm getting flack from Planning and Zoning. Something about spent fuel leakage or some such rot. I promised 'em I'd make sure it all got into the garbage bag but they ain't going fer it. So now I'm looking for Plan B |
Rewiring the arm is a possibility but I am guessing that this is not a DIY project for you. Ian should be able to explain your options. I can vouch for the Expressimo Heavy Weight, it makes a very nice difference.
I take turntable mat swaps with a grain of salt. Many replacement mats are thicker than the original felt, and I suspect most of any difference in sound comes from the change in VTA.
But before making changes to your TT (which you haven't had very long, I gather), what is it you're not happy with in the sound? Maybe Ian could let you hear something more upscale, so you can decide if tweaking will do the job for you or if you need more than that.
(And needless to say, this post is just more or less repeating what my betters said above.) |
I'm not unhappy with it at all that I know of, although I'm sure that if I stick around here long enough someone will start to make me think that I am or should be.
You're right, anything more than changing the mat or counterweight is not likely a DIY project for me. As I said in my second post, I have some other noise in the AC atmosphere, and upgrading cables on other components has helped so far. Incrementally. I don't know why and I don't really care why. But when I unacked the TT I was struck by the fact that you cannot EASILY upgrade two items that virtually the entire audiophile world seems to agree can make significant differences when upgraded on virtually every other component. What, those wimpy grey things suck when plugged into a preamp but they're state of the art when plugged into a TT?
What can I say? I'm just a curious guy. |
Well, the cables are a known weak point on the Rega arms, but after all, this is only a $300 TT including arm, so it can't really be expected to have state of the art cables on it. The Incognito wiring kit for Rega arms is a popular one, as a replacement. The Heavyweight is definitely a winner on any Rega arm. The aftermarket VTA adjuster is mandatory in my opinion. The OL or Expressimo structural mod(end-stub) transforms the stock RB250 into a much better arm. The OL DC motor kit will end all AC line problems, and give smoother running. The acrylic platter upgrade can help with the resonances.
But you have to remember that doing all these things can cost alot of money. For the same money, you may be able to get another table that will do better than the Rega 2, even with all the upgrades. This should always be considered when doing major surgery on your table. Always ask yourself, "could I do better by selling the TT, and getting a higher level table, while still having the same amount invested?" That will keep you from overspending on mods, and keep you on the right track toward getting the most bang for your buck. |
I bought a p3 from Audio excellence too & am VERY pleased with it. I e-mailed Ian and asked about an upgrade or ideas about ic's etc. I think amp and/or cartridge change is the way I want to go..have read about the Rega Super elys cart. as a quantum leap in sound over the elys that I use. I do notice a slight hum on my phono hookup and will fool with reversing my powercord etc. I also noticed that it took about 2 weeks with my new cart. to break in. Like Dcwinton I'm looking for ideas..... |
If this P3 were my table, I would be thinking about a cartridge upgrade as a next step. I would be planning to buy the very best one the arm could take, as a prelude to changing my TT, which I would sell with the _old_ cart. I would then mount the better cartridge in the new turntable and listen to it till I was ready to upgrade the rest.
I might also consider a Heavy Weight, but only if I knew my next arm were going to be another Rega.
But I wouldn't think of changing anything while I was still enjoying the music with my current setup. If it still makes me happy, why spend more money? |
Sorry, I made a reference to the P2 and you have the P3. My apologies, but the basic comments still apply.
You also might try some Audiopoints under the TT, for nice increase in sound quality, at a reasonably low price. They worked great under my Teres. |
