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I have recently resurrected my turntable which is a Rega P2 (not Planar 2) and is about 8 or 9 years old if I recall correctly. Haven't used it in several years. (Replaced my old Ariston RD11 (I think) when it finally died.) The Rega has the stock arm and a Goldring Electra cartridge. Feeds into an old Creek OBH-8 phono preamp, then into the Auxillary input of an Odyssey Tempest preamp, Odyssey Stratos amp and then Symphonic Line Legato speakers. Overall the sound is somewhat lacking particularly the low end. My best test disc for bass is an old Virgil Fox direct to disc organ record which I seem to recall had some thunderous low notes. Voices are very nice but treble at times seems a bit harsh. Just doesn't have a full lush sound that I associate with analog. When playing DVD through the same system it sounds terrific so I don't think it's the speakers or amplification. Not sure what the weak link is here--cartridge, phono stage, alignment? Don't have any way to swap out the phono stage but would be willing to buy a new phono stage or cartridge if that were the likely culprit. Could spend up to about $250 for that. Unfortunately I don't think we have any vinyl experts left in St. Louis that I can have evaluate it. Any thoughts and directions on how to proceed here would be appreciated.
Thanks, Jim
Follow Ups:
Thought I would post an update for anyone interested. I was finally able to loosen the nuts holding the cartridge. (Not an easy job for someone with shaky hands I might add.) Turns out that the alignment was way off! I just used the Rega provided single point template but it made a huge difference. I'm really stunned by the improvement. Even my wife agrees! I'm sure the sound could be improved even more with a better table, new cartridge, more skillful alignment, etc. but for now I'm pretty happy with the sound.
Thanks to all who responded.
Jim
Nice that you ended up with an easy solution. In general a harsh top end is not what I recall of any Goldring.The GX10X2 series in particular had a very sweet sound.
If sound deteriorates again, try a replacement Stylus which is available at LP gear for about $50.
The customer is then charged what he is likely to stand. ...
double check using another one :) I always use multiple protractors for alignment. Sometimes they disagree a tiny bit.
dee
;-D
True terror is to wake up one morning and discover that your high school class is running the country.
quote by Kurt Vonnegut
Not very likely, it will do ok but you never get the solidity of a decent digital bass out of that table, it is just not designed for it. A technics SL-1200 will do much better at it. The whole Rega philosophy is speed and lightness. And the fullest sound you will probably get with a Rega cartridge in a Rega arm. Everything else is just a bigger compromise. I never heard a Rega do well on large scale music wether be rock or symphony. That said i would look for an idler or a DD if bass is your thing. If you want lush then the the suspended belt drive is the ticket :). a different phono preamp will not fix all your issues. May be just an improvement.
dee
;-D
True terror is to wake up one morning and discover that your high school class is running the country.
quote by Kurt Vonnegut
Edits: 11/23/14
Interesting. Perhaps my expectations are unrealistic and I am recalling the sound of my old Ariston rather than P2. It's been several years since I've used the Rega.
Thanks, Jim
If you liked the Ariston, maybe you should look for a suspended table. IIRC most of them were suspended.
dee
;-D
True terror is to wake up one morning and discover that your high school class is running the country.
quote by Kurt Vonnegut
Really can't agree with you here. I have a Rega RP6 and it does wonderfully with bass in symphonic music. And Rega's philosophy has more to do with lightness and stiffness. This does not by any means preclude a good bass. I had a much more expensive table that did not do any better with orchestral recordings. Much more important, IMO, is your speaker's bass response.
I never ventured into their more expensive offerings simply because i did not like their lower end offerings. I am sure the RP 6 is better than the lower end offerings, but if philosophy carries through the sound will be true to it, and it will still lack the weight and authority you get from good digital or a well designed DD or idler table. You just cannot get that from a belt drive no matter what amount of mass or rigidity you throw at it or subtract from it. :).
It is also true that that the best match for any Rega arm is a Rega cartridge. Everything else is fiddly at best. FWIW i am not a fan of Rega arms either.
dee
;-D
True terror is to wake up one morning and discover that your high school class is running the country.
quote by Kurt Vonnegut
BTW, my 2M Black works wonderfully well with my RP6.
"If people don't want to come, nothing will stop them" - Sol Hurok
Thanks to all for the thoughtful replies.
Jim
If your memory indicates better performance, then perhaps its cartridge replacement time. Plenty good recommends in the archives at your budget. How old is the Electra in playing hours. Harsh top end could indicate its near the end of its life. Otherwise alignment is a potential problem.
Once you are sure the cartridge is OK, then its time to look at an external phono stage. For the price a Bugle2 pre-assembled ($189) cannot be beat, but you have to choose either MM or MC option. Others have reported favorably on the Yaqin, check archives.
The customer is then charged what he is likely to stand. ...
The 22B or 23B as used my a few inmates here is supposed to be a surprisingly satisfying tube unit and has reviewed well. That should get some 'lush' into proceedings. Talk to John Elison.Also, consider the Hagerman Bugle (now mark 2), as it is a decent unit - I have the first and second iteration. Good bass too, with a full presentation, if not as lush as some.
Generally speaking, if you want lush tubes and 'even better' bass, you need good iron/power supplies, which means you're going to have to save your pennies!
Big J
"... only a very few individuals understand as yet that personal salvation is a contradiction in terms."
Edits: 11/22/14 11/22/14
I have an MS23B and it is the best bang for the buck I have experienced in audio gear. Well built and very good sounding.
$203 on Amazon and free shipping....hard to believe.
I have the older version, the 22B, and mine is a phenomenal phono stage for the price I paid -- $198.
Good luck,
John Elison
Hi John,
I bought mine based on what you said about yours. I think the 22B and 23B are the same build. The 23 has that extra damper the goes across the top of the tubes. It has small O-rings on the screws between it and the chassis. I hear no difference with it off, but it looks good.
I also copied that VTF scale of yours, with the credit card and quarter. Thanks for sharing. :)
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