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My first Rega upgrade - groovy baby!!

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My first Rega upgrade - groovy baby!!

Postby RoDa » 03 Sep 2010 17:12

Hi

A few days ago I discovered that my Rega had more to offer! :shock:

But since this is my first post on vinylengine.com, I want to share a little bit about myself first. :)

36 years old, married with children, living in Norway.
I have some of my thoughts on hi-fi printed in the Scandinavian magazine Fidelity (http://www.audiofidelity.no)

I rembember playing LPs on my fathers old system, but as I grew up the cassettes and later the CDs was my preferred choice of "musicstorage". :roll:

It wasn't until this year I purchased my first turntable, way to late of course...
My first purchase was a Well Tempered Record Player, but unlike many others this player didn't do it for me.
But then someone had a Rega P5 for sale! 8)

WOW!! This was my cup of tea! Speed, dynamics, pure fun! I was happy

My P5

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My system:

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Rega P5 - TT
Rotel Michi RHQ-10 - RIAA
Audionet SAM V2 - Amp
(Marantz SA-11S1 - SACD player)
Velodyne SPL800R - Subwoofer
Bowers & Wilkins CM9 - Speakers

In my living room:

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My Rega is in it's original state

RB700

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The cartridge is an Ortofon Rondo Blue

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Cannot reach the Baerwald overhang with the Rondo Blue mounted, so I'm using Rega's original alignment. Works fine.
I'm very pleased with the sound of my TT!

It plays black vinyl....

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....clear vinyl.....

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....yellow vinyl.....

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Goodbye yellow brick road.... :D

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....pink vinyl... :oops:

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...and even records with pictures on them!

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No wonder I was happy?

But then, late one evening I googled the words 'Rega' and 'upgrade' at once....

more to come :wink:

Best regards
Rolf
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Postby RoDa » 03 Sep 2010 19:44

I knew that there were a lot of aftemarket tweaks and upgrades for the Regas, but OMG what a jungle!

Counterweight seems to be the most popular upgrade/tweek, but I'm not convinced about the big difference reported by some....

I wanted my upgrade to be 100% reversible and easy to assemble.
In the end I decided what looked like the smartest thing to do and placed the order. :)


Only a few days later the package arrived!

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Thanks to the quality of the packing, the inner box arrived in perfect shape

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What's inside...?

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Top of the line 8)

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250$ will get you this far :wink:

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Time to check what I'm going to replace

oh so phenolic! :D

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Removing the belt

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Removing the original subplatter by pulling it gently straight up without rotating it

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With the supplied magnetic rod it's an easy task to remove the original ball bearing :wink:

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Zirconia!!

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"The switch" Can it be done?

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to be continued....
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Postby RoDa » 03 Sep 2010 20:17

The sapphire thrust plate is protected

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Removing the plastic.... sapphire !!

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After checking which side of the glass platter that has the best fit, it's time to complete the upgrade

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No doubt regarding the visual upgrade! :shock: 8)

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From subplatter to music in a few steps :D

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Only the perfect polished spindle is visible to the untrained eye

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Underneath the platter

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Postby Alec124c41 » 03 Sep 2010 20:30

Replacing the plastic Rega sub-platter does make a big difference in sound quality. The micro-variations in the timing disappear.
Enjoy it.
Unless this is just a commercial...

Cheers,
Alec
Keep them spinning.
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Postby flavio81 » 03 Sep 2010 20:37

You're a very good photographer!!

The upgrade looks excellent. However i would experiment using no mat and no rubber stops between the subplatter and platter.

In other words, a totally rigid coupling between record and subplatter.

Cheers!
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Postby Alec124c41 » 03 Sep 2010 20:49

Run it as is, but try different mat materials. Thin cork, rubber-net shelf liner, leather sound good. YMMV.

Cheers,
Alec
Keep them spinning.
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Postby RoDa » 03 Sep 2010 20:49

Alec124c41 wrote:Replacing the plastic Rega sub-platter does make a big difference in sound quality. The micro-variations in the timing disappear.
Enjoy it.
Unless this is just a commercial...

Cheers,
Alec


I was blown away by the difference!
I actually purchased this subplatter in part due to reading your posts. :wink:

I enjoy taking pictures and spreading the good news. Sorry if it looks like a commercial, it's just me being enthusiastic. :)

Best regards
Rolf
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Postby RoDa » 03 Sep 2010 20:55

flavio81 wrote:You're a very good photographer!!

The upgrade looks excellent. However i would experiment using no mat and no rubber stops between the subplatter and platter.

In other words, a totally rigid coupling between record and subplatter.

Cheers!


Thanks flavio!

The delrin dots are a part of the design from Groovetracer, so I'm not planning on trying to remove them. :)
But I'm considering experimenting and changing the feltmat for other materials.

Best regards
Rolf
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Postby RoDa » 03 Sep 2010 20:59

Alec124c41 wrote:Run it as is, but try different mat materials. Thin cork, rubber-net shelf liner, leather sound good. YMMV.

Cheers,
Alec


Thank you for the tip!
Are you thinking DIY or commercial replacements?

BR
Rolf
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Postby Alec124c41 » 03 Sep 2010 21:04

DIY. 8)

Cheers,
Alec
Keep them spinning.
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Postby Frank_Sm » 03 Sep 2010 22:46

Alec124c41 wrote:Replacing the plastic Rega sub-platter does make a big difference in sound quality. The micro-variations in the timing disappear.
Enjoy it.
Unless this is just a commercial...

Cheers,
Alec


I got a laugh regarding the "commercial" bit. I wish I could afford commercials, maybe someday.......... :D
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Postby Frank_Sm » 03 Sep 2010 22:49

RoDa wrote:
Alec124c41 wrote:Replacing the plastic Rega sub-platter does make a big difference in sound quality. The micro-variations in the timing disappear.
Enjoy it.
Unless this is just a commercial...

Cheers,
Alec


I was blown away by the difference!
I actually purchased this subplatter in part due to reading your posts. :wink:

I enjoy taking pictures and spreading the good news. Sorry if it looks like a commercial, it's just me being enthusiastic. :)

Best regards
Rolf


Rolf, I have to say that you get top marks for being so detailed, and as far as being "enthusuastic", I think it's great that you have such passion toward music and I wish you well, and thank you for the beautiful pictures too. :!:
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Postby JaS » 03 Sep 2010 22:58

Please read the guidelines for trade members as website links in signatures are no longer permitted. Thanks.

http://www.vinylengine.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=29124

Regards,
JaS
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Postby Frank_Sm » 03 Sep 2010 23:10

JaS wrote:Please read the guidelines for trade members as website links in signatures are no longer permitted. Thanks.

http://www.vinylengine.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=29124

Regards,
JaS


Sorry about that. I had no idea you changed the rules. No problem and thanks for letting me know.
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