[Wayner]

I've had mine for about 2 years and never really gave it a fair listen. Today, we hooked her up and I'm on my 4th album. My one complaint is the motor torque. However, my belt maybe stretched a bit. Anyone think that the motor is weak? Is the new motor upgrade worth the money or is it the same motor with a different mounting? I think the RB-300 arm is great! If you are starting out in vinyl, this might be a machine to consider, although the Techincs SL-1200 is a bigger bang for the buck, this may have some nicer sonics.

Wayner  aa

[Jampot]

Definitely slow to get going - I'm in the habit of giving it a little push as I press the on / off switch, and before I lower the tone arm....

Jim

[Wayner]

Jim,

do you like the sound?

W

[TONEPUB]

Wayne:

Love mine!  I have a current P3-24 with the external speed box, but had my original Planar 3 for about 22 years.
I did the motor upgrade because mine finally wore out!  The mounting is a bit different, but Rega claims that
the new motor vibrates less and has a bit better speed accuracy.

Being a belt drive, it's never going to have the torque that a 1200 has, but if you aren't dragging a discwasher
around, you'll really never notice it.

If you really want to make that P3 sing, get a Groovetracer subplatter upgrade
www.groovetracer.com

This replaces the plastic subplatter with an aluminum one that is machined to a very tight tolerance and they
throw in a new sapphire bearing on top of it!  You can change this in five minutes and it really makes a dramatic
change to the P3 sound.  Lower noise floor, more dynamics and a less constricted high end.  Less wow and flutter
too, because Franks part is much more round than the plastic part that's stamped out...

Frank also makes a different counterweight and an acrylic platter.  They are both good and will improve the
sound, but the bang for the buck is the subplatter....  It's awesome!

[Jampot]

I've lived with the sound almost as long as TP had his original (got mine about 1999 /2000) so have to say I'm 'familiar' with it 

Of course, since I discovered the crazy bunch here I have also played with several DD tables (though so far not a 1200).

What I DON'T do is swap them in and out of the original system. (I try to keep that unmolested as it were)

I was very tempted to go for a number of mods (lot's of choice here in UK) but have satisfied the urge by buying various second hand jobbies - SL1600 was first, then a Denon DPL 60 (nice) and an SL7 parallel tracker. I also have a SL150 and a RB250 waitng in the wings that I would like to bolt together one of these days.....

I don't doubt that TP is correct - the motor speed stability and torque can benefit from upgrading, but I guess thats why P3s still sell at their price point and there is a P5, P7 and P9 for those with more dosh.

I remember Mark in his Vinyl Anachronist days waxing lyrical about (I think)the P5 being a great deal.

Jim

[Wayner]

Jeff or Jim,

Have you ever put some plasticlay in the sub-platter. I was looking at that and thinking some mass might help out the situation. The sub-platter upgrade is very interest and tempting. Also, where have you guys gotten belts from?

Wayner

[Vinyl-Addict]

Jeff or Jim,

Have you ever put some plasticlay in the sub-platter. I was looking at that and thinking some mass might help out the situation. The sub-platter upgrade is very interest and tempting. Also, where have you guys gotten belts from?

Wayner

Wayne, You can put Plasticlay on the phenolic subplatter all you like but you'll never make it round, IOW, the circumference is all over the place as far as concentricity.

[TONEPUB]

I'm telling you, if you never listen to ANYTHING I ever say or write, Franks subplatter
is outstanding and really transforms the P3. The best 175 you will ever spend on analog.

You know he's on the right path, because the big bucks Rega tables (P7 and P9) both
have machined subplatters instead of plastic ones.

I get my belts from Music Direct or straight from Rega....

Never had a problem.

[PumaCat]

I have a GrooveTracer subplatter from Frank, and I completely and strongly agree with everything that Tonepub  has said. It made a significant improvement in the performance of my 1981 Planar 3 and it's worth every penny. Plus, it is absolutely beautifully manufactured.

I should point out that the subplatter with the sapphire bearing, the Groovetracer Reference, is $250 (and still worth every penny), not $189.