Rega RP3 v RP6

[Frank_Sm]

I believe the plinth is the same used on the RP1 and RP3. Braces being the difference between the 3 models, none on the RP1, phenolic on the RP3, and Alum.mag alloy on the RP6. Gloss paint on the RP6 adds a nice touch if that's important to you.
It makes sense since manufacturing cost can be trimmed by sharing the same basic plinth.
The reviewer mentioned (on another forum) that if you owned a P5, he probably wouldn't sell it to get an RP6.

[gmjones2001]

So has a consensus been agreed upon yet? Should somebody with nothing go RP3 or RP6? Is the RP6 worth twice the price?

Thanks!

[watercourse]

What I'm gathering from all the people that have heard both the RP3 and RP6 is that bone stock, the RP6 sounds better, but if you were to upgrade a new RP3 to an RP6 level using the Rega RP6 upgrades (like the TT-PSU and the rumored upgrade package of subplatter cap and new platter), it might cost more to do this than just buying the RP6 new. And you'll never have the plinth/double braces of the RP6.
If you get a new RP3 and upgrade with some Rega parts and Groovetracer, it sounds better than the RP6, but costs more than the new RP6.
If you're not the upgrading type, then get the RP6. It's less than twice the price of the RP3 in any event.
There is always a chance to get used tweaks down the road if you decide to get the RP3, which might make the cost closer than if everything was purchased new.

[RP3user]

So has a consensus been agreed upon yet? Should somebody with nothing go RP3 or RP6? Is the RP6 worth twice the price?

Thanks!

No consensus but here is my take on it.

If your one of the many people that will run a new deck as delivered then the RP6 will give you marginally better sound than the 3 but it costs a lot more.

Is it worth it? Well having heard them both I would say no, unless you prefer the look of the RP6 as well. Don't forget as the 6 comes with TT PSU you can change between 33 and 45rpm without having to remove the platter and mess with the belt. This is the only reason I can think of for buying the RP6 in preference to the RP3

As Frank says "manufacturing cost can be trimmed by sharing," and I suspect this is why Rega have chosen to fit the new RB303 arm to both the RP3 and RP6. But Rega have shot themselves in the foot here because it brings the two decks closer together in terms of sound and the RB303 is mighty. If they had fitted the old RB300 arm to the 3 I would probably have bought the RP6.

If you intend buying either deck with the intention of upgrading it then the Rega sub-platter will have to go as it is the weakest point on both decks. Remember that both share the same sub-platter; forget the alloy plate on the 6, it's there so the the new RP6 platter fits and will in my view, make no difference to the sound. By the time you have removed the platter/sub-platter from the RP6 its purchase in preference to the RP3 is all but pointless unless you want the glossy finish.

Graham

[gmjones2001]

Thank you watercourse and RP3user.

I love the look of the RP3 in white. Gloss finish looks nice but is a fingerprint magnet, especially in black.

Amazed that the RP3 + upgrades is more than the RP6 but I'm new to this all.

I saved all my LP's, but lost my vast 45 collection long, long ago ... <sniff!>. So the belt deal would not be a deal breaker. How hard is it to lift the platter off and change the belt? Can't imagine it would be time consuming ... lol.

**EDIT** It's NOT TWICE the price! Oops. Different cartridges on needle doctor's site. Price diff is $600. Hmmm... new data that doesn't help the decision sux! lol.

No rush for me though ... haven't even fired up my new to me PL-518.

Thanks again.

[watercourse]

I would add that the TTPSU adds more than just speed change convenience. Look at some of the other threads in this forum on this topic. I won't reiterate what has already been stated elsewhere, just be aware that this topic has had much mileage here and on other boards.
Good luck, I don't think you can go wrong either way. The new arm sounds like it's tha shiznit.

[gmjones2001]

The new arm sounds like it's tha shiznit.

Ima go ahead and fly my ignorant flag for a moment .... I thought the RP3 and RP6 shared the same tone arm?

I'll read up on the TTPSU as you advised.

Thank you sir!

[Drumhax]

There's another review out, HiFi Choice by way of Sound Organisation:
http://www.soundorg.com/news/story/60

Seems to reinforce the idea that for the non upgrade-minded, RP6 is a set-and-forget solution for great sound quality out of the box vs the RP3, which would require some upgrades to equal/surpass it.

[watercourse]

The new arm sounds like it's tha shiznit.

Ima go ahead and fly my ignorant flag for a moment .... I thought the RP3 and RP6 shared the same tone arm?

I'll read up on the TTPSU as you advised.

Thank you sir!

Exactly my point - the RB303 is a great arm based on the press, so either table, you can't go wrong.

[mr.datsun]

Thank-you to Frank and Drumhax for the extra reviews.

I keep noticing that the RP6 has what is called a 'twin-phase' AC 24v synchronous motor. Does anyone know if this is different to the RP3's motor (or the 24v motor upgrade)? The Rp3 specs never seems to mention this. And what is 'twin-phase' ? I can't seem to find a definition.

I also see mention of the fact that motors for the RP3 and the RP6 are 'hand-tuned' for each deck. Anyone care to speculate on what that might mean and hence whether I can do the same for my Planar 3 at home?

[RoDa]

I keep noticing that the RP6 has what is called a 'twin-phase' AC 24v synchronous motor. Does anyone know if this is different to the RP3's motor (or the 24v motor upgrade)? The Rp3 specs never seems to mention this. And what is 'twin-phase' ? I can't seem to find a definition.

I also see mention of the fact that motors for the RP3 and the RP6 are 'hand-tuned' for each deck. Anyone care to speculate on what that might mean and hence whether I can do the same for my Planar 3 at home?

I think it's the same motors for the P3-24 an up. Including the new models.
Each TT-PSU is tuned to the motor to get i vibration free, so I've read.
But what about us buying the TT-PSU as an upgrade...?
Are we able to hand-tune it ourselves, and how?

Regards

[RP3user]

There's another review out, HiFi Choice by way of Sound Organisation:
http://www.soundorg.com/news/story/60

Seems to reinforce the idea that for the non upgrade-minded, RP6 is a set-and-forget solution for great sound quality out of the box vs the RP3, which would require some upgrades to equal/surpass it.

I have always liked HiFi Choice and in particular its reviews and this one is no exception. The RP6 quite rightly in my view gets 5 stars, as did the RP3 a while back. The reviewer has been careful not to draw too much on comparisons between the two instead concentrating on the strenths of the RP6.

G

[RP3user]

I keep noticing that the RP6 has what is called a 'twin-phase' AC 24v synchronous motor. Does anyone know if this is different to the RP3's motor (or the 24v motor upgrade)? The Rp3 specs never seems to mention this. And what is 'twin-phase' ? I can't seem to find a definition.

I also see mention of the fact that motors for the RP3 and the RP6 are 'hand-tuned' for each deck. Anyone care to speculate on what that might mean and hence whether I can do the same for my Planar 3 at home?

I think it's the same motors for the P3-24 an up. Including the new models.
Each TT-PSU is tuned to the motor to get i vibration free, so I've read.
But what about us buying the TT-PSU as an upgrade...?
Are we able to hand-tune it ourselves, and how?

Regards

Rolf is right , Mr D. P3-24, RP3 and RP6 share the same motor As for the hand tuning, I suspect that this is something the marketing department have come up with and amounts to no more than quality control checking that each deck is vibration free before they are shipped out to dealers.

Rolf. As for each TT-PSU being tuned to the motor, I am not sure if this is true.
I have been at shows and seen dealers quite freely swapping these between decks.

G

[kabayiri]

Regards the hand tuning of the pcb attached to the 24v motor it is easy to over egg it.

I have had to match complex loads to other circuits before (not in the audio industry but other commercial electronics).

It's not a difficult process given that there is a trimmer on the board.

What it does reflect is an attention to detail which you see bringing fruit in quality hifi now. It contrasts with the mass market electronics you see elsewhere.

I have mentioned before that I mistakenly bought a Rega AC motor upgrade before I got the 24v pack. It gave me an opportunity to look at the packaging and instructions of both.

The AC motor pack did not have a simple inventory of parts inside, and the instructions were a little too technical. Switch to the 24v motor upgrade kit and the instruction sheet was clearly better, and the box had the contents clearly listed. No manufacturer gets things right from the start, but it's clear that Rega is constantly evolving and improving. It's nice to see.