[dspgolf]

Hi all,

I'm recently got back into records and bought a new turntable a several months ago.  I bought a Rega P-3 24 TTPSU power supply with an Elys 2 cartridge.
I was wondering what the next step up would be for me?  Is a better cartridge the next step or should I upgrade the whole turntable and get a P5 or P7 with a higher end cartridge? 

If anyone could chime in with a few thoughts that would be great!  Love Records again and now have a harder time listening to cd's.

Dave

[Letitroll98]

You have a nice table, a cartridge upgrade would be in order.  Although I kinda like the Elys, it's been widely detracted by most other (former) owners of it.  Try the Denon DL 160, AT 440mla, or maybe the Ortofon Blue.  I like higher end classic Grado's and Empires, but must admit these are very problematic with the RB 301 arm.

[simoon]

I think it depends on how far you can see yourself upgrading in the future.

If you believe that you will upgrade only 1 or 2 moderate increments, then a cartridge upgrade would be in order. The P - 3/RB 301, as good as it is, has some definite limitations in how far it can be upgraded. Which I'm sure you understand.

But if you could see yourself upgrading more substantially in the future, then a better table and arm would be more worthwhile. It would allow much more flexibility in how far you can take the performance.

In fact, the best investment would be to put all the money you have allocated for an upgrade on the table and arm itself, even if that means keeping the Elys for now, to give yourself the greatest ability to maximize performance in the future. You'll have a smaller immediate sonic improvement, but greater ability for long term improvement.

And if you decide to upgrade table/arm, you have a chance to check out other brands. As good as the Rega's are, there are other tables that compete or even outperform at the same price points.

[BobM]

The weakest link in any vinyl chain is always the phono preamp. Of course that then interacts with the cartridge, then the arm, then the table and cables. But first, you will only get the best if you have a decent or better phono stage. That is the first thing you should look into, then the cartridge.

Enjoy,
Bob

[woodsyi]

The weakest link in any vinyl chain is always the phono preamp. Of course that then interacts with the cartridge, then the arm, then the table and cables. But first, you will only get the best if you have a decent or better phono stage. That is the first thing you should look into, then the cartridge.

Enjoy,
Bob

I am not sure abut any and always, but it's often overlooked.   

[Wayner]

dspgolf,

You have started out with a really nice table! I'm very glad for you that you took the "new" table step rather then buying used as we have heard many horror stories from newbies or returnies. I had the Rega Elys cartridge (purple body) and thought that I could do better (I have the older Rega RB300 arm), so I mounted the aforementioned AT440MLa, tracking at 1.6 grams with excellent results.

One problem that I have with Rega tables is their cartridge alignment. The specified distance from platter spindle to tonearm pivot center is 222mm (some claim 223) and to align your cartridge with the Loefgren B curve you should use 17.749mm overhang and align it to the 70.285 and 116.604mm null points. I have never figured out where the 3rd alignment screw on the Elys put the darn cartridge.

Anyway, The AT works great because it's got a compliance rating of 10 which makes it happy with about any tonearm. I think that www.lpgear.com may have the lowest price on that cart.

Welcome back to vinyl.

Wayner 

[royphil345]

The AT440MLa is a pretty nice cart. It can sound thin in some systems. But, I'm beginning to really appreciate mine as I improve synergy between other components. It sure tracks like crazy for a little over $100.00. I believe a couple Amazon sellers have the lowest price right now...

http://www.amazon.com/Technica-AT440MLA-Dual-Moving-Magnet-Cartridge/dp/B00009MK3A/ref=sr_1_1?s=gateway&ie=UTF8&qid=1285879904&sr=8-1

 I also like my Ortofon Blue a lot, maybe a bit better than the AT440MLa. I don't own a Denon DL-160, but I've heard a few digital rips done with one and they sounded very nice too. I have one on my list. Maybe I better hurry up because I've heard it's being discontinued? Definitely some great values recommended here and it would be hard to choose.

[drphoto]

I suppose the real question is......what do you think you're missing? The Elys w/ the regulated PS is supposed to be very good. The nice thing is it's made to fit the Rega head and be self aligning (if I understand correctly) plus the VTA will be correct w/out a shim or aftermarket adjuster.

I run the DL-160 on mine (w/out the TTPSU) and think it sounds just dandy for the money. Did require the shim for VTA. I'd love a Riggle unit, but I'm a poor pharmacy intern now.

What sort of isolation are you using? Brass cones under the deck, then a 2" maple plank and Mapleshade Isoblocks under that made a big improvement on mine. If I try rapping on the rack, I can hear noise, but I don't seem to have any low end rumble or feedback w/ music playing. This is a pretty cheap upgrade.

This deck will never have the biggest soundstage, or dig out the lowest level of detail, but it's a fine unit. The one thing it can do nicely is boogie. You know....that PRAT thing. My old Thorens sounded slow and dull incomparison. (But to be fair to Thorens fans, I probably never had it set up correctly)

 I agree w/ the comment on the phono stage. Not sure what you're running there.

If you do decide to move on to a loftier level, hopefully you saved all the original packing material. Due to the popularity of Rega, you probably won't have to take a huge hit if you sell it.

 BTW: even though Rega is popular, I think there are a number of people who will never buy into their philosophy of a low mass design and always consider it inferior. I dunno know, maybe they're right. I'm new to this too, and have not heard many other analog setups. I'd love to hear one of those Well Tempered units. I admire crazy simple engineering solutions.

[dspgolf]

Hi,

I'm using a Bryston bp26p pre-amp with the built in MM Phono Stage.  I just acquired that around the same time as the Rega.  I also have a Bryston 4b sst sq amp and B&W 803D speakers.  I'm just curious as to how many hours you do get out of a phono cartridge like the elys?  Maybe that might be the time to consider an upgrade?  Thanks for the info it's great!

Dave

[drphoto]

I'm still wondering what you feel you're missing?

[royphil345]

Hi,

I'm using a Bryston bp26p pre-amp with the built in MM Phono Stage.  I just acquired that around the same time as the Rega.  I also have a Bryston 4b sst sq amp and B&W 803D speakers.  I'm just curious as to how many hours you do get out of a phono cartridge like the elys?  Maybe that might be the time to consider an upgrade?  Thanks for the info it's great!

Dave

You'll get around 500 hours of play out of the elliptical stylus on the Elys.

[dspgolf]

Hello,

I guess I'm looking for an increase in bass depth and articulation and even better sound staging?  It's not that I'm unhappy with the current setup because when playing really well recorded albums this table can sound absolutely incredible!  Just wondering what would take me to the next so called vinyl level if you will?

Dave

[drphoto]

I'm really impressed w/ the bass performance I get w/ my setup. W/ good recordings, like the Police's "Ghost...." Stewart Copelands drums just jump, but sound is very natural and Sting's bass sounds incredibly lifelike, well seperated from the drums.

I'd think about the brass cone>maple plank>isoblock thing, unless you already have some sort of great isolation system. Those stock rubber feet on the Rega maybe it's weakness, not the skinny plinth or the arm. (IMHO, once again)

I will admit my analog system does give up soundstage size to my very good digital rig. . Your average listener would probably prefer the digital, due to the bigger soundstage and higher resolution. However the TT does have a more natural sound, less, well, 'hi fi'.

One interesting find, is the TT sounds lively at low volumes, while I have to crank the digital source in order to get the system to come to life. Like all things audio, they both have their strengths and weakness. I honestly like them both. Getting a TT didn't make me suddenly hate my digital source. It's not what I would call 'apples and oranges' but more like the difference between different apple varieties.

So, look for some good isolation for bass articulation. As far as soundstage....yeah...that's probably gonna take a major upgrade, probably beyond just a cart. I'm obviousvly a big fan of this little deck. With the right setup, I think it's hard to beat at it's price, but it obviously has it's limitations.

[Letitroll98]

I'd think about the brass cone>maple plank>isoblock thing, unless you already have some sort of great isolation system. Those stock rubber feet on the Rega maybe it's weakness, not the skinny plinth or the arm. (IMHO, once again)

No, no, no, no.  Do not change out the feet on the Rega table.  They are an integral part of the system and are designed very specifically to make the most out of the low mass Rega design.  If you want to play with the table try a Rega PSU for speed stability, a micro groove inner platter, a ceramic ball bearing, an acrylic platter, or a VTA adjuster.  But if you want to very quickly ruin a Rega table replace it's feet with metal cones.  The suggestion of a separate isolation table is fine.

[jimdgoulding]

What Wayner and the good Dr. said.  Regardless of whatever, the verticle and horizontal alignment of the cartridge needs to be optimum.  Any questions just ask right here and you'll get optimum answers.

[drphoto]

Hey like I said, I'm new to this too. I'll take that suggestion and try pulling out the brass cones and put the stock feet on the maple block. It would look better that way too.

I just know that when I had the deck sitting on my rack, I had some low end feedback issues. Maybe the maple plank and isoblocks alone will do the job. I was just following someones tip in some thread or other......

I appreciate any and all ideas. 

[drphoto]

Ok, I just went upstairs and pulled out the brass footers. Huge low end feedback. I guess all systems are different. But in mine, the brass Mapleshade tripoints really make a big improvement.

I'm starting to thing you were just pulling my leg all along....right?? 

[j beede]

What Wayner and the good Dr. said.  Regardless of whatever, the verticle and horizontal alignment of the cartridge needs to be optimum.  Any questions just ask right here and you'll get optimum answers.

...unless you have a Well Tempered Amadeus which is built using "new physics" that circumvents Baerwald et al