Rega RP3 v RP6

[radiance]

@digiman: Marvelous, outstanding pictures! I like especially the one with the shiny gold brass bearing well and the grey/black background...

Regards

Rad

[wobbleu]

Lovely photos, thanks - love the reflection in the glass shelf - I'd just get dust
Why is the unattainable always so damned appealing?

@watercourse
I'm thinking about a plinth sandwiching materials - I'm happy to share my ideas later (currently at work) will start a new thread rather than crap on this one - it's been far too interesting for me to drag it down.

regards

Chris

[kabayiri]

@wobbleu

How did you come across the Edwards sub platter?

I was seriously considering the isokinetik offering, but this has piqued my interest.

I recently fitted the 24v AC motor to my Planar 3, and it's whet my appetite for more

[watercourse]

I think I just shorted out my keyboard with drool...

[RoDa]

I think I just shorted out my keyboard with drool...

Then let's hope for your keyboards sake he doesn't show you the all-Rega rack.
Digiman: pleeease?

[Frank_Sm]

Here is a review of the RP6. I don't think it will surprise anyone here, not too much mentioned that you didn't already know.
http://www.tonepublications.com/analogaholic/rega-rp6/

[wobbleu]

@kabayiri
Other forums really. Edwards (Talk Electronics) have a good rep for phono stages and other electronics and when I heard they were going into turntables I delved a bit deeper - they have advertised their sub on ebay via a dealer - they do a range of other Rega 'upgrades' which are parts from their tt range.
cheers C

[RoDa]

Here is a review of the RP6. I don't think it will surprise anyone here, not too much mentioned that you didn't already know.
http://www.tonepublications.com/analogaholic/rega-rp6/

Thanks for the review, Frank_Sm.

A few comments:

- The Plinth on the RP6 is CNC machined to further lower it's weight? Stereophile claims it is the P3-24 plinth, anyone seen inside it?

- ..."the more sophisticated feet from Rega’s premier P9 turntable in order to reduce the amount of vibration reaching the platter." Yeah, right. I have those feet on my P5 and would really like to see measurements showing the reduced amount of vibrations... Looks way better though.

- .."the subplatter cap is now machined—as opposed to the all-plastic part on the RP3. This process gives Rega’s new platter a perfectly flat surface on which to rest, again making for a better physical connection between record surface and platter"
It's the same subplatter, with a cap on top of it. Perfectly flat I'm sure it is, but it still sits on top of the good old subplatter, so how it can improve the connection between the platter and vinyl is a mystery to me...

- ..."A side-by-side comparison to our RP3/TT-PSU with the Exact cartridge immediately exposes the RP6’s intensified performance."
This is very interesting!! The described improvements are all due to the subplatter-cap'n'platter on the RP6? (And possibly the CNCd lighter plinth?)

Looks like Rega made a winner with the RP6!

Still believe that a Rega RP3, TT-PSU, Groovetracer Reference Subplatter and a Groovetracer Delrin platter would be a killer combo!



REGArds
Rolf

[RP3user]

I haven't fully taken that review in yet; is that guy for real!

A stock RP3 with Elys2 cartridge v RP6 with its TT PSU and Exact cartridge are very, very close in terms of sound quality.

An RP3 with TT PSU and Exact cartridge v RP6 with Exact cartridge are likely to be so close in terms of performance I suspect it would be very difficult to tell the 6 from the 3. The only thing that sets them apart are the glass platters.

Or maybe it's those upside down RP3 rubber feet that gives the 6 the edge!

Seriously though, don't believe me or this review, take a listen for yourselves.

Still believe that a Rega RP3, TT-PSU, Groovetracer Reference Subplatter and a Groovetracer Delrin platter would be a killer combo!



REGArds


Rolf

I didn't mention it when I did my review but the stock RP6 sounds nowhere near as good as my RP3 with TT-PSU, Groovetracer Reference Subplatter, Groovetracer counterweight, Isokinetic Reference Platter and SAE 1000Lt Cartridge. But when my modded RP3 did cost a little more.

Graham

[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.