Rega RP3 v RP6

[RoDa]

According to Stereophile the RP6 has the plinth from the P3-24.

REGArds

[marimo]

Thanks for the input guys. I just wasn't thinking straight, of course there can't be a RP3-24 bc it's already 24v! Ha.

I guess what I was asking if anyone heard any rumors that they would eventually come out with other Colors for the RP3. I guess I could buy an RP3 and then Replace the plinth with the one from Analogue Seduction (Thanks RP3 User) but that seems like a lot of work.

[RP3user]

OK, having seen and heard the RP3 and RP6 side by side now, these are my thoughts and impressions.

Visually, the 6 looks flashy with it's gloss plinth and alloy bracing when compared with the semi-matt finish of the 3. In other respects the two look very similar to each other and both share an identical RB303 arm; the 6 having a bright metal finished counterweight whilst the 3's is colour matched to the arm. The main difference is the platter which is somewhat thicker on the 6 and therefore heavier. The dealer would not remove the platters of the two decks but the alloy plate of the 6 is visible through the platter. It looks as if this plate just sits on top of the standard sub-platter as used on the 3.

So, if you were to remove the platters from both decks and the alloy plate from the 6 apart from the visual differences you should have decks that are the same in terms of performance. Plug in the TT PSU of the 6 and then the 6 has the advantage. Add a TT PSU to the 3 and they are equal again. I fail to see how an alloy plate stuck on top of the sub-platter can add anything in terms of performance. The extra weight of the 6's glass platter should improve things as the extra mass should help in terms of speed stability.

So how do they sound? Well the 3 had an Elys2 cartridge and the 6 an Exact which should work in favour of the 6. The dealer would not fit a TT PSU to the 3 which I found disappointing but on hearing the two decks I could see why. Although the 6 produced the better sound it was close, very close. I suspect that a 3 with TT PSU would have brought them closer still and too close for the dealers comfort.

Graham

[RoDa]

Thank you for the listening impressions!

The brace is supposed to be just resin painted metallic on the RP6, actually the same brace(s) as on the RP3, so they say.

The alloy plate is there to raise the subplatter height, since the center of the RP6 platter is thinner than the RP3 platter.
Subplatter + alloy plate + RP6 platter = subplatter + RP3 platter


My "brilliant" drawing repeated




REGArds

[RP3user]

Your diagrams show off the sub-platter and platter arrangements of the RP3 and 6 very nicely Rolf. If anyone wanted to use an acrylic platter on the RP6 they would have to discard the "metal-on-top-thing" which makes the RP6 a bit pointless when you can have the RP3 for a lot less money. But then again you may like the gloss finish of the 6.

G

[watercourse]

These brilliant drawings call for a t-shirt to commemorate this thread...

[lofijunkie]

Someone needs to machine a 2mm or so brass plate to fit underneath a p5 and report results. Guessing it would may have favorable sonic results similar to the P6.
Replace the tonearm screws with nut and bolt and other end bolted to the bearing bushing or whatever its called. Same priniple of stiffening/unify arm and bearing?
My understanding that's what the brace design is addressing.

[watercourse]

If you can keep a secret, I've worked on something I'm currently testing on my P5... More later when I've compared among different carts.

[RoDa]

My understanding that's what the brace design is addressing.

My understanding is that they went cheap, and instead of continueing the "...complex CNC machined skeletal low mass micro-fibre plinth" from the P5, P7 and P9, they just use the glossy P3-24 plinth and put braces on it....

REGArds

[radiance]

BTW, this is the "...complex CNC machined skeletal low mass micro-fibre plinth" from the P5, P7 and P9"




Seems like some rocket science being involved, eh?

Regards

Rad

[MadMax]

Hmm, putting a metal hat on the standard sub-platter really looks like a halfway house measure to me. One step forward to put the fancy platter on, followed by two steps back with a badly designed sub to make it fit. Is this platter really that much better than the one it replaces?

Still, another product for GT- tall subplatters!

[brianmch]

BTW, this is the "...complex CNC machined skeletal low mass micro-fibre plinth" from the P5, P7 and P9"




Seems like some rocket science being involved, eh?

Regards

Rad

I don't feel so bad now looking at my old Linn Axis which is an MDF top separated by springs from an MDF lower wrapped by a wood perimter.

I'm glad you said it RoDa as it sure seems like they cheaped out.

Water- awaiting the scope and results of our experiment.

[watercourse]

BTW, this is the "...complex CNC machined skeletal low mass micro-fibre plinth" from the P5, P7 and P9"




Seems like some rocket science being involved, eh?

Regards

Rad

Radiance, where did you get that image? Something about the geometry of the plinth doesn't look right compared to my P5. The cutout for the motor housing appears offset too much from center, and doesn't align with what appear to be the bearing and arm post holes.

The P5 plinth also has some metal rods incorporated into the mdf, I learned from widening the arm post hole, so it's not simple mdf sheet with holes cut out.

But if the image is the real deal P9, then Rega clearly has a history of overstating the facts.

brianmch - more soon, I promise!

[radiance]

Watercourse, this is a picture of the Planar 9 plinth. In the left corner of the picture you can glimpse the Planar 9 wooden frame...

The P9 plinth won´t look so much different...

Regards

Rad