RP3 hums with tonearm movement

[j88888888]

I'm currently evaluating a dealer demo of an RP3 with the Elys 2 cartridge. I noticed something strange last night when I was cueing up a song on the inner portion of a record. There's a distinct hum that is audible about 20% into the platter, and gets louder as I move the tonearm toward the middle of the record. It's less noticeable when the music is playing, but when the tonearm is lifted, it's pretty evident. Has anybody else noticed this? It's not the end of the world or anything, but it could be a sign of trouble. If it's an RP3 characteristic, it will definitely influence my buying decision.

[ebreckpo]

This is not a normal behaviour. Could be a lot of things. Is by any chance your RP3 positioned above your amplifier. Are they any mains transformators around the unit. Change the position of your TT to check if the hum is coming from an external source. Do you have hum on both channels? Other places to look loose internal earth cable You have to remove the counterweight and remove the stub (piece where the counterweight slides). Could be a internal wiring problem. Could be a problem with the cartridge (Rega is struggling with some production issues with their cartridges).
As the unit is not yours I would not start fiddling with it and bring it back to the dealer for verification.

[j88888888]

This is not a normal behaviour. Could be a lot of things. Is by any chance your RP3 positioned above your amplifier. Are they any mains transformators around the unit. Change the position of your TT to check if the hum is coming from an external source. Do you have hum on both channels? Other places to look loose internal earth cable You have to remove the counterweight and remove the stub (piece where the counterweight slides). Could be a internal wiring problem. Could be a problem with the cartridge (Rega is struggling with some production issues with their cartridges).
As the unit is not yours I would not start fiddling with it and bring it back to the dealer for verification.

I'll have to do some experimenting with placement when I get home tonight. The turntable is about two feet above the amp, which is two shelves down with records in between. I doubt it's getting any interference from that. All of the electrical connections are down by the floor, at least 36 inches below the turntable. I believe it is coming from both channels, but I'll make sure this evening.

[radiance]

Hi there,

that behavior is pretty normal, since the moving magnet cartridge, Elys 2, is experiencing the stray magnetic field of the synchronous motor. This is the reason why the Rega P9 has a Mu-metal shield around its motor housing... Try a moving coil cartridge instead, they are on principal impervious to these stray magnetic fields.

Best regards

Rad

[ebreckpo]

A moving coil will be more prone to picking up hum than the MM. As the preamp needs a higher sensitivity.

The Rega cartridge department had some quality issues lately. A dealer had to return several cartridges (Exact) due to mistracking issues, perhaps some have shielding problems.

Unless you turn the volume knob to extreme loud levels no hum should be heard.

Hum is a "very strange beast" and finding a solution can be difficult.
Check if you have the same problem at the dealer or at a friends system. If the system hums on your friends system or at the dealer you know something is wrong with the unit.

[Cyreg]

Yes, this is normal behaviour; had a P3 with Elys2 for a few years
It shouldn't get annoying though > no problem during listening to music!

And when you lift the arm from the LP and sometimes you hear a light thud?
That's normal behaviour for the Rega carts too, gets less during the more hours!

Sorry, it's Rega you know.
Had a lot of fun for 30 years with several STANDARD RegaTT/carts setups!

[j88888888]

This is all good info. What I don't get is why I would want this turntable when it seems like there are a handful of problems inherent with it. It seems like I'd have to turn a blind eye to some problems, and spend a fair amount on upgrades to fix the other problems. That seems ridiculous for an $1100 turntable. Can somebody tell me what's so great about it?

[radiance]

@ebreckpo: That´s not true, a moving coil cartridge is not affected at all against the stray magnet field of the synchronous motor!! Try a Shelter or Dynavector and you´ll see there is no hum from the motor even if you have three of them mounted under the platter...

I have the Exact 2 cartridge mounted at the moment and yes, it hums when moving with the arm over the platter, crossing the motor.

Regards

Rad

[wobbleu]

I've got a P3 24 with an AT120e fitted, which is sat above a Rega Planet CD, which is above a Mira 3 (all within 40cm depth in my rack) and I get no hum whatsoever when the cartridge is over the record even with the volume turned up higher than I'd normally listen at.

In my main system my Rega TT sits next to the Brio R and again no hum from the DL-110.
There used to be an issue with Grado cartridges on Rega decks but I've never heard anyone say about it with Rega carts previously (although they have their detractors here for other reasons).
I've not heard any of the RP decks yet although the general consensus from people I've talked to is that they do offer some improvement in sq (mostly due to the RB303 I guess) - why buy a Rega? They have a certain style, they are pretty much 'plug and play', and in my experience they sound pretty good straight out of the box. I'll admit I've tweaked mine a bit - but I did it myself (didn't have to take it back to the dealer) and I perceived improvements as a result of the upgrades.
I've tried other decks - but kept coming back to the Regas.
Hope you are able to resolve the hum issues

Chris

[ebreckpo]

Apart from the light thud as Cyreg mentioned I did not have any other issues with the Elys. The Elys is not a bad cartridge but for the price they are better cartridges.

The main problem with the latest incarnation of Rega is that it is nearly impossible to mount a non Rega cartridge. Non Rega cartridges sits higher. If you set the VTA correctly the counterweight of the arm rubs against the dust cover. Due to the brace platter and arm sits higher. Roy should provide a modified counterweight or adapt the dustcovers. I think that is a serious issue and I am very curious if they solved the problem with the RP6?
As j88888888 stated for a $1100 turntable these "minor issues" are not minor anymore but nothing is perfect... for around the same price you have other contenders, have a listen to them look at the issues.
The Planar 3 was an excellent product for the price. I still have a couple of them.

The RP3 starts to be the product of a very well engineered marketing machine. Looks like Roy Gandy has been brainwashed by Ivor Tiefenbaum.

[wobbleu]

Lots of 'dropped' counterweights around, but then RG isn't one for VTA adjustments.
I run both my non-rega carts without spacers without any noticeable detriment.

C

[kalypso]

Can somebody tell me what's so great about it?

No, i cant. Just my belief:

In my town there are three high-end dealers, none of them deals with rega anymore. One of those three dealers is the one im dealing with since 30 years and he throw rega out due to several problems, especially for the behavior of the german importer in case of faulty units, what was not customer-friendly.

The tables dont sound bad, but the workmanship is poor for the money and problems occur from time to time.

I don't understand the probs you have had with the xpression. As you described it (IGD), this sounded like a cartridge misalignement to me. In general, the xpression is a fine table, the problems you described are not typical.

For the price of an RP3 with some "upgrades" you can easily get an xperience or even perspex-table...

but, as i said thats just my opinion.

regards, kalypso

[RP3user]

OK, lets just dispel a few myths here.

First of all the RP3 should not hum, mine doesn't nor did the dealer demo that I had on loan for several weeks.

It should not hum with either a MM or MC cartridge; I have used both.

You can use other makes of cartridge with an RP3 without having to adjust the VTA; I do and with great results.

You ask "Can somebody tell me what's so great about it"? I listened to just about everything available new up to my budget of £2500 and bought the RP3. OK, build quality isn't as good as some but the RB303 arm is just amazing and works really well with upgrades. Mine is now heavily modded and cost around £1500 in total and sounds way better than a friends deck that cost £2200.

My advise if your going to get the RP3 and don't want to spend a lot of money on it would be; buy one without the Elys2 and get a better cartridge. Also spend £20 on a Rega white belt.

Graham

[kalypso]

RP3 should not hum

Agreed of course.

On the other hand, each and every table i had so far made a slightly hum the closer the cartridge comes to the motor. Audible only with level set to an really excessive volume, not with normal or even very high levels.

In reviews of german hifi-magazines the rp3 was rated very good and reached 42 points, fitted with a Reson Reca (no spacers neccessary). The rp3 costs € 780,00 here, the Reson Reca another € 550,00.

In another review, same magazine, the pro-ject xperience basik+ was worth exactly 42 points, too. Price: € 875,00, ortofon MC 25 E (€ 400,00)- cartridge included.

So whats the big deal with the rega?

I dont know.

regards, kalypso