Modding Up A P25

[dcginc]

I have owned my 2nd hand Rega P25 for some years. I bought it with the RB250 arm modded by Origin Live with new stub and counterweight and re-wiring. I have a Grado HO MC Sonata cartridge. Some yes ago, I had the base drilled to accept a VTA adjuster (from OL?) Just last week, I put my German Audio 1.5" cones under the table. Much improved focus.

I am looking to take this table to the next level and have these items on my short list for consideration:

Groovetracer sub-platter
Groovetracer platter
Rega White belt
Heed Orbit PSU
BDR cones for table

I think i'll do much of the Groovetracer upgrades, but I did not mention the counterweight as i have that done by OL. But should i still consider it? I see it lowers the center of gravity which must help in tracking records?

I'm curious about the Heed power supply.

If you have thoughts and recommendation, I'm all ears!


cheers,

dave

[Alec124c41]

I put a new sub-platter in my Planar 2, and it saved it from the bin.
Much better speed stability and accuracy. Do it.

Cheers,
Alec

[Frank_Sm]

I have owned my 2nd hand Rega P25 for some years. I bought it with the RB250 arm modded by Origin Live with new stub and counterweight and re-wiring. I have a Grado HO MC Sonata cartridge. Some yes ago, I had the base drilled to accept a VTA adjuster (from OL?) Just last week, I put my German Audio 1.5" cones under the table. Much improved focus.

I am looking to take this table to the next level and have these items on my short list for consideration:

Groovetracer sub-platter
Groovetracer platter
Rega White belt
Heed Orbit PSU
BDR cones for table

I think i'll do much of the Groovetracer upgrades, but I did not mention the counterweight as i have that done by OL. But should i still consider it? I see it lowers the center of gravity which must help in tracking records?

I'm curious about the Heed power supply.

If you have thoughts and recommendation, I'm all ears!


cheers,

dave

Welcome to the forum Dave.
If your incoming power is "dirty", then the Heed will no doubt provide a stable 60hz line frequency for the motor. If your incoming power is clean, meaning the line frequency doesn't rise and/or fall a lot, the benefits of the power supply will be much less.

[jenkovix]

I have owned my 2nd hand Rega P25 for some years. I bought it with the RB250 arm modded by Origin Live with new stub and counterweight and re-wiring. I have a Grado HO MC Sonata cartridge. Some yes ago, I had the base drilled to accept a VTA adjuster (from OL?) Just last week, I put my German Audio 1.5" cones under the table. Much improved focus.

I am looking to take this table to the next level and have these items on my short list for consideration:

Groovetracer sub-platter
Groovetracer platter
Rega White belt
Heed Orbit PSU
BDR cones for table

I think i'll do much of the Groovetracer upgrades, but I did not mention the counterweight as i have that done by OL. But should i still consider it? I see it lowers the center of gravity which must help in tracking records?

I'm curious about the Heed power supply.

If you have thoughts and recommendation, I'm all ears!


cheers,

dave

Go and get a Groovetracer subplatter and a Heed combo. Your result is an amazing sounding turntable!

[dcginc]

Ok, starting the 'mod' process.....

Mod One: last weekend placed my German Audio cones under the table to find a much noticeable improvement in clarity. Last night, removed the stock, rubber Rega feet to allow better placement of the cones, two up front, one in back.

Mod Two: dusted the turntable off. The soundstage opened up widely unlike before, and bass slam like never before (hey I'm kidding here..but did dust it off)

Mod Three: I have ordered a new belt. I am the second owner of the TT and have owned for close to five yrs. So a new belt cannot hurt. Decided to order the Rega white belt just for fun.

Mod Four: Need to place order for GT sub-plat and platter..

Will use several records as my test records to include: Joni Mitchell Blue, John Klemmer Touch (a mobile fidelity pressing) Dave Grusin Discovered Again (direct to disc) and maybe Steely Dan's Goucho album.

Rest of system includes: Meridian 201 Mk1 Pre-amp, Meridian 205 mono block amps, the P25, all sitting on a five tier Sound Organisation stand. Speakers ATC SCM 7's sitting on Mission Stance speakers stands.. PS Audio Quintet for AC conditioning. IC's Harmonic Tech Pro-Sil III mk 1's. and lamely, cheapo, spooled Monster Cable speaker wire. I sold the HT Pro 9 bi-wire some time ago-need to find a reasonable replacement)

cheers,

[safe1]

Hi Dave and welcome,

are you sure that you had overall positive results with the cones in place of the rubber feet?

Me and at least one member here had a serious negative impact in the bass* region when we did that. We both put the rubber feet back...

Happened that i read around the internet same thing from few other Rega TT owners.

[dcginc]

good point on the feet vs cones matter. my system is a bit bass shy right now due to placement of speakers (standing waves) so I may not be noticing the issue as much as I should. I'll keep this in mind and experiment with them..

[dcginc]

Last week I installed my new belt. I recently received the Rega ltd edition white TT belt. I placed this on my P25 with a nodded RB 250 arm via Origin Live. I cannot believe what positive transformations this belt has done. Hugely more tuneful, inner detail, pace, tonality, all just wonderful. Highly recommend this upgrade to other rega owners. I am guessing the stock belt I took off was close to 8-10 yrs old. What's gone is a brittle, harsh quality. Now music has warmth and I just want to spin record after record. More mods to follow

btw, I did remove the cones under the table and placed three vintage Audioqest rubberized feet underneath. This too warmed up the sound.

[dcginc]

Btw. Heed Orbit, can this still be bought in the USA? I'm hearing no.

[Frank_Sm]

Btw. Heed Orbit, can this still be bought in the USA? I'm hearing no.

I don't the answer to that but another option (although pricey) is the Project Speedbox SE II. It gives you the ability to change speeds and finetune RPM iff necessary.
http://www.musicdirect.com/product/74475

[dcginc]

anyone have opinion or experience with with Heed or Project. I was considering a Heed Orbit PSU for my P25 but I am learning that this product is no longer available in North America.

If i choose Heed route, will have to post a WTB online somewhere.

thxs.

[dcginc]

Groovetracer sub-platter on order.... can't wait. just fetched a 1/2 speed mastered copy of Pink Floyd's Wish You Were Here LP of ebay yesterday along with ordering Joni Mitchell's Blue 180 gram vinyl re-released Blue album... nirvana awaits me I am sure..!!!!

[safe1]

... nirvana awaits me I am sure..!!!!

enjoy

[dcginc]

The Groovetracer 'reference' sub-platter is in, and has been running for two days now.

Wow, just listened to my fav Fleetwood Mac album, Mystery To Me. SO much more music in those grooves than I could ever know until now!

All I can really say is, all I want to do now is to listen to my records. Until I began all these mods, I can't say that was true. Not to mention, have a whole new record collection as I am now hearing a level of inner detail never before possible.

I won't try to be a hi fi journalst in trying to define what's going on here, but the soundstage is deeper, wider, overall sounds are now warm smooth and fluid. Gone is the harshness and brittleness. Music has more emotion, hence my desire to just spin LP after LP.