I can get a pretty good idea with the following. Heart, Little Queen. Toto IV. Metallica S/T. Lady Gaga, The Fame. Tupac, All Eyes on Me. Frank Sinatra, Come Fly With Me.
Being clinically unable to do "critical listening" I just play my favorite albums: Pink Floyd or Dead Can Dance to see if the end result puts me "in the mood". Solo violin was used by my local dealer to demonstrate that the "mods" of an aftermarket mat and platter rim "killed" my Sondek. So now I have 24 Caprices by Itzhak Perlman as a test LP, but No, I do not use it for my system evaluation.
It has been a few years, but one distinct thing I remember is the improvement in tonal and timber accuracy of the piano after replacing the sub-platter and belt. My memory is not that good to be able to recall the exact type of improvements that resulted in changing the counter weight. I will say, without leading you astray that I believe you will hear finer detail due to greater accuracy in tracking of vertical modulation.
I don't want to solicit a product here, but in addition to the mods we have discussed, one of the most obvious improvements that came about on my turn table source was replacing the Black Cube SE PWR Box fuse with a Synergistic Research Black fuse. I have a PC of there's now powering my CDP. One of these day I plan to swap it out to see/hear what gains are made.
Recently I purchased a Lyra Delose. I set up tangent and overhang alignment using the Rega supplied gauge. From conversation and reading, I understand vast improvements are heard by using a Mint or Wally Tractor gauge. So the research and pursuit of one of those gauges is in progress.
Rather than discuss off topic here, if you want to talk further on the subject, you are welcome to use the PM message feature of this site to contact me.
Sorry guys. You are right. My inquisitiveness got the best of me. As to my mention of Holly Cole, "Romantically Helpless", I wasn't trying to use it as a wedge to distract this thread. I find it to be a very good LP. The first two songs on side A are my favorites, her rendition of Paul Simon's "One Trick Pony" and the title track. I will behave myself now. Don't want to be on Santa's naughty list.
@bradf I sent the arm out to have the rewire done. My hand was forced due to one of the clips to the cartridge post broke. Not a big difference to my ears. What changes did you hear when you changes the subplatter and counter weight? Thanks
Talking Heads -- Stop Making Sense Dire Straits -- Love Over Gold German pressing Dire Straits -- On Every Street (rare on LP) UK pressing Duran Duran -- Wedding Album (rare on LP) UK pressing David Bowie -- EarthLing (extra rare on LP) UK pressing David Sylvian -- Dead Bees On The Cake Virgin/UK vinyl Brian Ferry -- Boys and Girls
Well I am glad that you mentioned the Rega external PSU.
I purchased the groove Tracer mods individually, as I was able to afford them and as they came up on the used market. The platter and a removal weight set that screws on to the primary weight was purchased new.
To the best of my recollections, The arm tube weight and the sub platter were very noticeable changes. The acrylic platter changes the sound opposed to the glass platter, but some may not see that as an improvement but a change. I have gone back and forth between the two, but didn't necessary prefer one over the other. I have yet to try either with a clamp or record weight, which it may be that the combination of one or the other platter type and clamp may sound better. Yet to be heard
Being that Rega stresses in there owners manual disadvantage in replacing the tone arm cable, I never did the mod. I see your bolder than myself. Did you think the Incognito Rewire Kit affected the sound similarly to upgrading I/C's or ?
bradf Quick question regarding your Rega P5- I also have a P5 with external PSU. I had the tonearm rewired, Incognito Rewire Kit. I also replaced the stock feet with Black Diamond Racing feet and use the the upgraded belt. It sits on a Maple Shade maple platform. Everything else is stock. Did you buy the table already having the Groove Tracer mods or did you do it? If you did, what were the noticeable results? Every once in a while I think about the Groove Tracer mods but have never went for it.
Media: Vinyl Van Morrison "Moondance" Warner Bros Reissue R1 1835. HQ180 RTI Record Technology
Roy Orbison, "The All Time greatest Hits Of Roy Orbison" Monument Records Stereo Mobile Fidelity MFSL 2-304
Julie London, "Julie Is Her Name" BSR3006-45 Boxstar Records
Source: Rega P5 Groove Tracer platter, sub platter, arm tube weight. Rega Up Grade Belt Imposium Seque ISO Platform Maple Shade Triple Point footers Black Cube SE Phono Amp - Synergestic Research Black PC and Black Fuse Cardas Clear Lite I/C
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