Buying a Rega P9

[yulian]

Hey guys,
I'll be purchasing a Rega P9 this week for my birthday (which is today, hehe)and have a few questions. I'm looking into a warm musical MM cartridge and can't decided what would be best a Orofon 2M Black or Goldring 2500, any other suggestions or tips are welcome. I'm also looking into a few mods such as a Groovetracer/Michell counterweight, Rega white belts, some-kind of mat and clamp. If you can please guide me from experience into the right direction, I will greatly appreciate it.
Thanks

[yulian]

Here's my system info:
McIntosh MC 275 Amp
McIntosh C2300 Pre-amp/Phono Stage
Nordost Heimdall 2 Cables
PMC Twenty.24 Speakers

[krenzler]

I envy you as I had to settle for the P7. The P9 is one of the most elegant looking turntables IMO.

The 2M Black is very very good I have no doubt.

http://www.soundstage.com/vinyl/vinyl20080601.htm

But why aren't you considering MC? I see that your C2300 pre caters for MC too.

Personally I would stick with the original RB1000 endstub/counterweight solution and also keep the original white wool Rega Mat. And not use any type of clamp. This also makes it easier changing sides/records while spinning (not shutting off each time). The Rega way. A 12" record is slightly larger than the Rega platter so it's easy to grap the edge of the LP.

I can recommend the white belts (they are not really white but more cream colored). The first batch (when they were limited edition) were more white but they were not as precisely and well-made as the current cream colored ones. Definitely get 2 of those.

Oh and I always give the platter a small push to get it spinning slowly before pushing the On button on the PSU - to minimize strain on the belts and motor on startup of the platter. But leave it spinning (as mentioned) until my music listening "session" is over.

Apart from the upgrade belts I also bought Regas own extra heavy counterweight (for heavy cartridges like my Ortofon MC Jubilee) plus Regas adjustable VTA spacer (gives you 2, 4, 6 or 8mm height increase without having to remove the tonearm completely from the plinth every time). For many cartridges you simply need to raise the armheight to get correct VTA.

I also listen to music with the dustcover completely removed (easy to do) as I feel that this sounds slightly better but that can be debated.

And you have to place your new P9 on a rigid lightweight wallshelf (bolted securely to a solid wall). Preferably Regas own RWB. Does wonders for tightening up the sound and especially the bass.

[Cyreg]

....Personally I would stick with the original RB1000 endstub/counterweight solution and also keep the original white wool Rega Mat. And not use any type of clamp. This also makes it easier changing sides/records while spinning (not shutting off each time). The Rega way.....

.....Oh and I always give the platter a small push to get it spinning slowly before pushing the On button on the PSU - to minimize strain on the belts and motor on startup of the platter. But leave it spinning (as mentioned) until my music listening "session" is over.....

.....I also listen to music with the dustcover completely removed (easy to do) as I feel that this sounds slightly better but that can be debated.

And you have to place your new P9 on a rigid lightweight wallshelf (bolted securely to a solid wall). Preferably Regas own RWB. Does wonders for tightening up the sound and especially the bass.

All of the above quoted is also my opinion having had several Rega TT/cart's for almost 30 years.
Hope you succeed with the P9, but be adviced there is a RP10 coming soon?

And a light and rigid small Ikea Lack table will also do the better supportjob

[yulian]

Thanks guys, I'm going with the P9 since a dealer is giving me a great deal.
I have thought about the MM or MC and changed my mind to a Benz Micro ACE S.
Looks like I'll be keeping it stock except for the 2 x ref belts, rega heavy weight, and 2MM spacers.

I'm unsure about the output of the MC for the Benz Ace. Would you recommend a medium output when using the phonostage of the 2300?

[nabil]

I don't know your phono pre-but if it can't take a LOMC then I would go for one of the better MM cartridges.

[yulian]

Hey guys, just got my P9 last night. The waiting list on the Benz Micros was 6-12 month, very unreasonable so I went another route. Managed to grab a Ortofon Cadenza Black at an amazing price.

I'm not sure if a single 2MM spacer or two of them are required for this cart, also are there any instructions about how to add the spacers?

Thanks.

[nabil]

Hey guys, just got my P9 last night. The waiting list on the Benz Micros was 6-12 month, very unreasonable so I went another route. Managed to grab a Ortofon Cadenza Black at an amazing price.

I'm not sure if a single 2MM spacer or two of them are required for this cart, also are there any instructions about how to add the spacers?

Thanks.

I've never used this style of Ortofon cartridge, but I believe that one needs to raise the arm at least 4MM.

[krenzler]

I raise my arm (RB700 on a P7) 6mm* when using my Ortofon Jubilee.

Rega carts are shallow - about 13,5-14mm high. From top down to stylus tip. Try measuring the hight of your Cadenza Black.


*I only have the options of 2,4,6 & 8mm as I use the Rega adjustable spacer.

[yulian]

Thanks guys
I know Rega are iffy about spacers/VTA, but I'll be having them installed and fine tuned by a dealer on Friday.

Here's the current positioning:

[tomytoons]

They are iffy because the arms are for Rega Cartridges that do not need spacers. On average every cartridge I put on an RB 700 needs the 2X2mm spacers for an approximate level arm when cartridge is in the groove playing. Sounds best that way. They sell so many OEM arms they made the spacers available. These arms are on some pretty expensive tables besides the P9.

The arm in the pict does look a little low in the back.
Hey enjoy!

[resu]

Cadenza carts are 18mm high, from the top of the cart to the tip of the stylus.
http://ortofon.com/support/cartridges-dimensions-chart

[yulian]

Thanks you very much Resu! I couldn't find those dimensions.

[clearaudiolover]

They are iffy because the arms are for Rega Cartridges that do not need spacers. On average every cartridge I put on an RB 700 needs the 2X2mm spacers for an approximate level arm when cartridge is in the groove playing. Sounds best that way. They sell so many OEM arms they made the spacers available. These arms are on some pretty expensive tables besides the P9.

The arm in the pict does look a little low in the back.
Hey enjoy!

2x2 mm, or 4 mm adjustable spacer, that's what i need for my sumiko blackbird. im hoping to find a felt mat with a thickness of 1 mm, or 3 mm (for 6 mm spacer) to finetune the VTA even further.