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Rega P3: Neo PSU or New Cartridge?

Hi everyone,

I have a Rega P3 upgraded with a Groovetracer Reference sub-platter and Rega’s white belt. I’m looking to upgrade the table further, but not sure which would be the most advisable option: Rega’s NEO PSU or a new cartridge (either the Exact 2 or Orotofon 2M Black). I’m content with the Elys 2 at the moment, but do plan to move up soon. The power supply is what I’ve been leaning towards getting next, but I’m new to planar-style belt-drive turntables, and so I’m unsure what sonic improvements to expect from such an upgrade.

I know many would recommend getting a P6 rather than upgrading the P3, but I’m not a fan of the color of the P6. I love the sleek look of the white P3 plinth with the metal bracing, metal sub-platter, and glass platter. This table is sort of of my fun foray into the world of planar-style belt-drive turntables. I’m primarily a direct-drive fan (I have two Technics SL-1210GAEs), but always loved the looks of the Regas, so the P3’s aesthetics, for me, are a factor to consider in addition to the sound quality. I know the P3 cannot achieve the same level of sound quality as other tables in the Rega line-up, but I’m just trying to get it to sound as good as it can.

Any advice would be much appreciated.
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noromance's avatar
noromance
9,538 posts
 
Could someone briefly explain, in general outline, how the external PSU improves the sound?

The NEO generates a clean 50Hz(60Hz) waveform to power the 24v AC motor. Without the NEO, the motor uses mains power which can be inherently dirty. The clean power cuts down on phase-related speed variations and electrical interference that raises the noise floor hiding low-level detail.
scm
299 posts
 
undefined...
Did you hear an improvement when you put the Groovetracer subplatter in ?

undefined OP
33 posts
 
@noromance 
Thank you for the explanation; that’s helpful. 
@scm 
I noticed improved speed and pitch control. It also seemed that the playback was a bit “clearer,” maybe due to the higher quality bearing in the GT Reference? I’m not sure. 
scm
299 posts
 
  undefined ... I agree with your observations. 
The runout on the GT subplatter is so much tighter vs the plasticky stock one and that alone helps in a better more defined sound. 
I noticed that the surface noise dropped dramatically as well.
The NEO does all of that while doing its job.
There`s a number of threads about the NEO on the Steve Hoffman forum that you might want to check out
 
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mwh777
72 posts
 
undefined.....

A friend of mine is farther along the same path that you are on. He has the same table with the same upgrades. He has the NEO PSU and he also bought an aftermarket linear power supply (sorry I don't know the brand or source) for the NEO to replace the wall wart that comes with the Neo (this does require another IEC equipped power cord). He has a Clearaudio Performer V2 cartridge  Also, he has a Herbie's Audio Way Excellent II platter mat (I recommend it). Each of these were done one at a time and each step was a definite improvement. 

There are many people here that are better able to advise you on a cartridge for your table and arm combination than me but, I suggest that you not get too far ahead of the limitations of the arm with your cartridge choice. Should you put a $750 cart on a $600 arm? My tone arm cost about three times the cost of my cartridge.
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