My Rega Quest Upgrade

[westhuller]

Instead of buying a new turntable and getting rid of my old Rega Planar 3 I decided to go for the Quest Upgrade package from Inspire Hi Fi and I am deliriously happy with the results.From start to finish I can not speak highly enough of there service and quality of work.I actually took the turntable to the factory myself and spent a fascinating and educational hour and half watching as the owner Robert transformed my old Rega.
I purchased the birch ply plinth with the with acrylic and Sorbothane coned feet.My original "S" shaped tone arm was replaced due to the anti skate belt disintegrating with a Rega R251 tonearm and a Audio Technica AT95E cartridge was also added, I also purchased the Inspire Acri Mat.All that was left from my old table was the glass platter,sub platter, motor and bearings.
I know the cartridge is a budget one but it will be my next upgrade when money allows. All I can say is has just turned the pleasure of listening to my vinyl collection to number eleven.My old Rega was good but this has left me blown away.I am hearing new things from my record collection controlled bass and acoustics from plucked guitar strings I never new existed. I have posted some pictures, hope you like.I especially like the polished finish of the ply edging it gives it in my view a great look.
Quick note to the mods I am no way connected to Inspire Hi Fi, just a very happy customer

[vedran03]

Congratulations! Very very nice!

[bacobits]

Very nice!!!
Enjoy!

[mr.datsun]

It looks hot! I like the ply finish that you chose. I wish we could hear it.

[bacobits]

It looks like that "Panzerholtz" material.
Which is supposed to be very good for plinths.

[westhuller]

Thanks for the kind words,its even got the thumbs up from the wife.

[atomlow]

Dig!

[kabayiri]

It looks great

I am due to visit tomorrow (31-Jan), and wasn't sure whether to go for the birch ply finish or one of the veneers.

I am curious...did you try the acrylic platter ?

[hetfieldsmullet]

That looks great. I've seen their add on ebay but it's nice to hear from an actual customer.
How much, if you don't mind me asking, did the whole thing cost?

[kabayiri]

Robert sent me the Quest prices last week
- birch plinth with acrylic coned feet and switch £189
- any veneer £89
- acrylic platter £99
- acri mat £24
- puka record weight £49
- rebuild and set up £40

So...£490 if you went for all that in one go...not small change

[bacobits]

That is US $769 not cheap but those individual prices look reasonable. I don't think you need a weight.
Ya have to expect to pay something for it. I put a little over $600 in my P5. Yikes!!

That Plinth looks great I like it a lot.
I hate to bring it up, but Michael Lim also makes a P3 plinth.

[AudioSoul]

Congrats! I can tell they used a high quality Birch ply for the plinth. Some other co.s use the cheap stuff. Very nice....

[westhuller]

It looks great

I am due to visit tomorrow (31-Jan), and wasn't sure whether to go for the birch ply finish or one of the veneers.

I am curious...did you try the acrylic platter ?

Sorry for the delay in answering but my internet has been down. I am ordering the acrylic plinth and puck next week hopefully.

[westhuller]

Hello again,so as you can see from my new photos I have gone further in the Quest upgrade package and purchased a new acrylic platter from Inspire Hi Fi. They now produce two types of platter for the Quest package the original one at £99 and the new one which I purchased at £124 which was described as bigger and more denser with an extra cut out lip on the rim to make taking an LP off the platter easier.
As with the previous upgrade I have had I am very pleased with the investment.It has taken my listening pleasure again to another level I never thought possible. Listening to Steve Guitar Town the platter has drawn acoustics from the vinyl I never new were there,jaw dropping is an over used phrase but its the only way I can describe it.