Rega RP3 v RP6

[digiman]

Well, there is always the VTA issue...

True. But you could just live happily with a Rega cart and never worry about VTA and alingment with the 3 point fixing. Rega Exact played sweet sweet music on my RP3 with zero Hi-Fi tweaking neurosis

I could be wrong, but i would guess that Rega design there TT with there own carts in mind first.

I had the Exact on my P5, and found other carts, especially of the LOMC variety, to really bring out the strengths of the table/arm, far outshining the Exact's very good performance. So, I think Rega's TT design can and does support much more than the Rega range of carts.

Could I live with the Exact? Yes, of course, it's a very musical cart. But do I have to when I have adjustable VTA? No, and I think it brings much more to my musical enjoyment having more cart options.

Toatly agree. I ran a Ortofon Jubilee for a while on my P5 and P9. Sounded great on both decks. But i must say that the Rega Apheta is the best cart i have heard so far on a Rega deck imho. It just brings out the best of the Rega sound. And even more so if you use the Rega IOS phonostage and DONT load it over 100 ohm.
For me personaly it also brings peach of mind knowing that the products are devolped for each other and do not require vta og allingment adjustment. It took me about 5 min to get the P9 up and running with the Apheta cart. I never realy stopped fiddling with the setup with the Jubilee.

Hopefully Rega also comes out with a cart between the Exact and Apheta some day.

[ProperlyDeafened]

For those asking how I like it...LOVE it so far. Spent probably 15hrs listening to it over the weekend and couldn't be happier. I'm running it with a Rega Mira 3 and Reference 3A De Capos.

[gmjones2001]

Great to hear PD! Gratz!

Should post some pics! (please!)


So, we all probably know this but I love stating the obvious so bear with me.

Sans cart. the prices for each are:

RP3 $895
RP6 $1495

That's a difference of $600.

The TTPSU is $395. If that is bought for the RP3 to get it 'up' to the same level as the RP6 the difference in cost is now:

$205.00

RP6 has different (upgraded?) platter, metal braces and shiny finish.

I think for me, the RP6 is the better bargain. Either table probably 'needs' the sub-platter upgraded.

In my case though, I'd likely get the RP6 with Exact cartridge and just us it for a long while. Only upgrade I might do in the near future would be the cart.

Anyway, mostly thinking out loud here.

Still looking hard at VPIs as well. (BLASPHEMY!)

[mr.datsun]

I think for me, the RP6 is the better bargain. Either table probably 'needs' the sub-platter upgraded.

In my case though, I'd likely get the RP6 with Exact cartridge and just us it for a long while. Only upgrade I might do in the near future would be the cart.

Anyway, mostly thinking out loud here.

gmjones,

I'm inclined to agree. In the UK the difference is really only £125. And there's no telling what improvements the fly-wheel-effect platter will bring.

With regards the 'needs' sub-platter question. My thinking is this. We know that the metal sub-platter brings improvements to the Rega speed stability. We know that the fly-wheel-effect platter is also designed to bring improvements to speed stability. At this stage, whether the fly-wheel-effect platter is capable of the same improvements to speed stability as the machined subplatter brings is still an unknown!

In the UK, on it's own the RP6 is cheaper than a typically fully upgraded RP3 by around £700!

[barnone]

Is the VTA issue on REGA even real?

Have a new REGA p7 with Dynavector DV20XL

Yeah I could add the 2mm spacer, but is it worth the loss in stiffness of the mounting.

REGA says don't worry about VTA. Stiffness is more important.

Disclaimer:
<Enter noob mistake to bring up topics debated ad nauseum>

I apologize in advance.

Setup:
REGA p7, Dynavector DV20XL, Jolida JDP phono pre, Bottlehead WOT Smack Tube Amp. Sennheiser HD-650 cans.

[ggkasper]

Does anyone knows if it is possible to use a groovetracer subplatter on the rp6? and if that would be worth?

[RP3user]

Does anyone knows if it is possible to use a groovetracer subplatter on the rp6? and if that would be worth?

Yes you can but you will also have to replace the RP6 glass platter with an acrylic or delrin one.

Graham

[MadMax]

Does anyone knows if it is possible to use a groovetracer subplatter on the rp6? and if that would be worth?

Refer to the "fantastic" drawings on page 4 of this thread-
viewtopic.php?f=32&t=44889&start=45

[MadMax]

It was my understanding the main reason for the 'metal hat' was to support the added weight of the new platter.

Not the weight, the height. Refer to page 4!

[MadMax]

You could buy just a Groovetracer subplatter for the RP6, but you'll need to put the metal hat from Rega on top of it. And that would be a really bad thing to do!

Regards
Rolf

[gmjones2001]

It was my understanding the main reason for the 'metal hat' was to support the added weight of the new platter.

Not the weight, the height. Refer to page 4!

Yeah, I reread that after I posted.

However, in a youtube vid Mr. Darwin himself says it's a weight thing. Could have just been a misspoken part of the video though. Height and the super flat machined surface ... lol.

[ggkasper]

So would you guys would say a GT subplatter + delrin platter would beat the Rp6 glass platter and original subplatter? I guess in the case of a change a spacer would be necessary for VTA too, right?

[RP3user]

So would you guys would say a GT subplatter + delrin platter would beat the Rp6 glass platter and original subplatter? I guess in the case of a change a spacer would be necessary for VTA too, right?

I don't know of anyone yet who has made a direct comparison but the subplatter on the RP6 is, in my view, it's "achilles heel" so using the GT sub with acrylic or delrin platter is likely to be beneficial.

Graham

[RP3user]

In the UK, on it's own the RP6 is cheaper than a typically fully upgraded RP3 by around £700!

I'm not sure just how you get to a figure of £700, Mr D.

Here is a breakdown of costs on my modified RP3:


RP3 TT £549
TT PSU £148
Isokinetic 25mm reference acrylic platter £116.98
GT subplatter and counterweight £302.28
UK taxes on GT items £65.53
Rega white belt £21

That makes a total of £1202.79.

In hindsight I would have bought the RP3 without the Elys2 cartridge which would have brought the cost down to £1128.79. If you deduct the cost of the RP6 which is £798, that makes a difference of £330.79.

That £330 buys you an RP3 that is a country mile ahead of the RP6 in terms of sound quality.

Graham