REga P1 TT...... [Archive]

beardog03

12-30-2007, 06:08 PM

I was looking at this table as an entry level player...
http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=REP1

Cash is short, so I can`t go much higher...

Is this a descent table for the $$ ?

Or this one...
http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=MHMMF2%2E1

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=MHMMF2%2E2

I know this has been hashed out a thousand times...and I`m gonna go there again..

I will be using the Cary SLP98P as the phono stage pre.....

Thanks for your time joe...!!

:cool:

shack

12-30-2007, 06:12 PM

Go with the Rega. They are known for the quality of their entry level TTs. I would be hard to go wrong at that price.

dorokusai

12-30-2007, 06:13 PM

Great TT for the entry level, confused vinyl lover.

beardog03

12-30-2007, 06:14 PM

that would be me !!

Thanks !

beardog03

12-30-2007, 06:31 PM

I know nothing about cartridges...is the one that comes with it a good one ?

Will I even know the difference with my gear ?

I have decided to try out the Vinyl (dark) side , as my LP collection seems to be growing without my even trying ..!!

treitz3

12-30-2007, 06:43 PM

Beardog, this TT is the one that got me started back into vinyl. Decent player for the $$$, nice sound and nothing to beat yourself over the head with if you ever have second thoughts. I purchased mine for 300 smackers brand new with the Ortofon cart. and was able to unload it for 220 smackers a couple of months later. [upgraded].

If I were to start again, I would make the same decision. ;)

hearingimpared

12-30-2007, 06:53 PM

BD The Rega would be a good choice because they are always offering upgrades to the platter, bearing, tonearm etc. I, personally would go with the Rega P3 (http://www.rega.co.uk/html/p3.htm). Save up your money and because the P3 is leaps and bounds better than the P1 and it has a lot of the attributes of the P5, P7, & P9. I believe it is in the $700 area. The P1 & 2 have an MDF platter which for my tastes is pure shit. Atleast the 3 has a glass platter which is upgradable and you can clamp a record down right on the glass rather than use one of those crappy felt platter mats. As a matter of fact that glass platter will allow you to use a carbon fiber mat if you can't get your hands on a decent clamp.

I think that if you can bide your time and save up for the 3 you won't get upgraditis for quite awhile.

My second choice here would be to go with the Pro-ject table that Ricardo purchased. It is a mid-level table with high end sound.

Also, take your time as you may find a good used table out there that will give you all you could want in a table like a vintage VPI HW 19 series of tables etc, etc, etc.

Face

12-30-2007, 08:28 PM

I would skip the P1 and go with at least a P2. Then you can eventually upgrade to the P3's motor, tone arm, and glass platter. But if you can, follow Joe's advice and just save for the P3, it'll save you money in the long run.
FYI, the NAD 555 is a rebadged Rega P2 with a different cartridge.

TroyD

12-31-2007, 03:28 AM

BD,

While I think the Rega P1 is a good entry level choice (as would be offerings from Music Hall or Pro-Ject)....I gotta go with HI and say you might be better served looking a bit farther up the food chain.

BDT

reeltrouble1

12-31-2007, 11:47 AM

The only experience I have is with the Rega P-25 which is pretty much the one the present P-5 became, I really like this table and have tweaked it a bit. I am using a MM cartridge by clearaudio. This is a very warm yet detailed combination good channel seperation, dynamics and all that jazz, the TT was enjoyed by the guys at the Fest. As some sort of comparison I have about two large (retail new)in mine. I am using a pretty good phono pre with it, which does make a difference, I had a entry Parasound when I started and it was fine, the tone though is better with the present phono pre in my Sig. I would think the Cary would be nice but really have no reference.

Rega tables are easy to set up, you will be spinning in about 15 min. If time and cash are the concern then I say go for the P-1, knowing you Robert you will at least want the level of the P-5 if it turns out you like the Rega and vinyl in general. So I would wonder if spending the extra dough for a p-2 or a 3 would be worthwhile. If you want to wait then I would assume the p-3 would be the ticket, however, I have never heard one, seems like someone here should have??

RT1

wingnut4772

12-31-2007, 11:50 AM

I had a P-3 briefly which sounded really nice but I traded it in for a VPI Scout which pummeled it to oblivion...and laughed....mercilessly.

reeltrouble1

12-31-2007, 12:00 PM

I think that VPI is around 5x more than the budget, but nice to know. VPI only makes nice stuff.

RT1

wingnut4772

12-31-2007, 12:03 PM

I think that VPI is around 5x more than the budget, but nice to know. VPI only makes nice stuff.

RT1

It is. I was just being silly. The P3 did sound really nice though. Had I not heard the Scout I would never have missed anything.

ben62670

12-31-2007, 12:07 PM

Whats the major difference when you move up the food chain. Going from say $350 to $1000.
Thanks
Ben

reeltrouble1

12-31-2007, 12:15 PM

oh, just little things like the sub-platter, platter, motor, tonearm, plinth, suspension, its a vicious circle of upgrade, Max has the most into a TT around here, he once posted one of his TT buds told him he had a nice "entry" set-up. Bastages these TT hardcore types.

Since several guys had the P-1 and liked it seems like a good place to start, but it also seems they all upgraded in short order.

RT1

Ricardo

12-31-2007, 12:29 PM

I got the Pro-ject RM5 with a Dynavector 10x5; I am sure that there are lots of better TT's out there, but I honestly don't feel that need of upgrading.
I will try to avoid listening to higher end TT's to stay happy ;)

TroyD

12-31-2007, 12:32 PM

Basically, I've found that with turntables, the improvements are more dramatic than with pretty much any other component.

More money in a table brings more everything. More weight and impact to the bass, the highs are more smooth and extended...more holographic imaging. The backgrounds are blacker and quieter and surface noise is reduced. Upgrading a table is maddening, almost. I've been through it, I know. I'm to the point with my VPI HW-19mk IV that it's about as tricked out as I can get it and I love it but I'm sorta on the fence of moving on to the Scoutmaster which at first will be more or less lateral...but the upgrade path on that, sky is damn near the limit.

Anyhow, a good entry leve table will get you about 75% of what vinyl has to offer. You'll get the smooth, warm, seductive sound...and that's the whole point, it'll give you a lot. Enough to hook you into going farther and farther up the food chain. That's the whole point.

BDT

avguytx

12-31-2007, 12:44 PM

I think I'm about to order me a new TT as well. But I'm going to get the NAD C555 which is a rebadged Rega P2 basically. It retails for $600 but I can get it for about half of that (new) because I have a "connection/friend" there. :D It has the MDF platter but can be upgraded to the glass one sometime later. THis TT will be leaps and bounds above the other more "vintage" turntables around here. Although, they do sound quite good when set up right. I'm a budget "audiophool" basically!

shack

12-31-2007, 12:46 PM

I'm still in the camp to spend the 3.5 Franklins to see if it is something he wants to do. Not EVERYONE wants to drink the whole pitcher of upgrade kool-aid right off the bat. Given his history, Bear certainly may follow this path but for what he is wanting to spend...right now...any of the entry level table he posted will get him started. When the time comes, he can probably unload any of them for 75% of what he paid right here on the forum if he chooses to do so. I still have my $300 Goldring 1.2 table after almost 2 years and am still quite pleased...for now. Go for it Bear...test the waters.

treitz3

12-31-2007, 12:46 PM

I had the P1, as previously mentioned and soon thereafter purchased a Music Hall MMF-5 with a Goldring Cart. and I concur with TroyD. The Rega will give you 75% of what vinyl has to offer, more so if you can get your hands on one of H.I.'s clamps. That right there changes the entire sound, for the positive.

Moving up to the MMF-5 was a decision I am proud that I made. Tremendous difference? No. Difference? Yes, again...for the positive. Adding some Sorbothane risers, the Nitty Gritty cleaner, the Shark steam cleaner has made my vinyl journey [reintroduction] a pleasant one.

While in my rig, the vinyl does not do for me what SACD does, it does offer a different sound than that of digital and I can appreciate and accept both the attributes of both formats and the deficiencies as well. Now if only I could find or develop a outer "clamp" for the TT platter, I'm sure I'd be as happy as a clam in mud.

Ted's sounded great at PF. No complaints here.

treitz3

12-31-2007, 01:07 PM

You can always upgrade to this if you aren't happy.http://members.shaw.ca/Orcinus2/AV/Clearaudio_Statement.jpg
Yours for a mere $145,000.00 :p :D Just a few more dollars.....

madmax

12-31-2007, 06:36 PM

As far as I can figure out the higher up the food chain you go the blacker the backround and the more "magical" the sound is. By magic I mean how much the sound seems to captivate you. Have you ever compared two sounds which on the surface seem to be the same but you find yourself all involved in one but staring blankly into space with the other? One has magic, the other one doesn't. Also, the more you pay the less surface noise you hear. In the land of vinyl $350 is nothing in the scheme of things. I say go for the rega P1. The real beauty of vinyl is all the unfamiliar cool music you can find for $1 each.
madmax

avguytx

12-31-2007, 06:54 PM

The real beauty of vinyl is all the unfamiliar cool music you can find for $1 each.
madmax

Amen. It's amazing how much vinyl I've picked up in 2007. My collection went from around 120 to 650+ in no time and I've enjoyed getting to hear lots of the music I never bought back then or that came out before my time.

strider

12-31-2007, 07:13 PM

The real beauty of vinyl is all the unfamiliar cool music you can find for $1 each.
madmax

So true it deserves to be quoted again.

madmax

12-31-2007, 07:16 PM

Yea, I've picked up stuff much faster than I can play. Its cool now because I can go through my collection and pick out something new and interesting. My latest passion has been dixieland and big band stuff. Man, its fun walking out of the local Goodwill or antique shop with 40 new records for $45. To tell you the truth, the older and more obscure it is the more I'm liking it.

MillerLiteScott

12-31-2007, 07:42 PM

I have been foolin' around with vinyl lately. I have a 1986 TT that was part of a whole stero set up from Technics that my brother got for his HS graduation. It was still in the box with all the packing on and around it. Is it a piece of shit? A resounding yes. But I love listening to vinyl. It does have a certain magic and different presentation of music than a cd. I have noticed a deeper soundstage and better stereo seperation. I am looking at maybe stepping up the food chain a little to a Music Hall MMF-5 or such as......US Americans:D

My biggest problem is vibration isolation. At a certain volume I will get low frequency reverb. Not good.

Happy New Year,

Scott

hearingimpared

12-31-2007, 07:55 PM

hearingimpared

12-31-2007, 07:55 PM

Well with all the opinions and good information here, I think we have the big bad BearDog cornfused!!! Maybe not .. . .

hearingimpared

12-31-2007, 07:56 PM

You can always upgrade to this if you aren't happy.http://members.shaw.ca/Orcinus2/AV/Clearaudio_Statement.jpg
Yours for a mere $145,000.00 :p :D Just a few more dollars.....

Ah nobody wants that piece of junk!:eek::D

madmax

12-31-2007, 07:59 PM

Isn't the Project Xpression 3 their new table? Saw one on audiogon for under $400.

http://buy.audiogon.com/cgia/cls.pl?anlgtabl&1203615676

Don't really know much about it and do not know this seller.
madamx

RuSsMaN

12-31-2007, 08:06 PM

Robert, I would go with at least the P2 - for the RB250 tonearm if nothing else.

dkg999

12-31-2007, 08:58 PM

I've got my eye on the P3 :( Trying hard to resist, must not be assimilated, shields are up and holding :o

reeltrouble1

01-01-2008, 11:22 AM

your shields will eventually give way, resistance is futil, give way to the vinyl force.....

RT1

TroyD

01-01-2008, 11:52 AM

All your base belongs to us.

dkg999

01-01-2008, 12:46 PM

Since I hijacked Mr Beardog's thread, I'm letting him get into vinyl first ;) If it works for him I'll have to consider it :eek:

beardog03

01-01-2008, 01:50 PM

I`m soo confused...!!!

I started looking at $1600 tables again !!

I`m thinking the P2

maybe the mmf 5.1

or maybe the mmf 2.2

or maybe thr VPI scout

maybe the P3

P1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9
MMF2,5,7,9

oookayyy!!

I think I will reread the whole thread again...

Thanks for all your responses...you know me, and my habits of upgrading, so I will maybe start low-med this time around just to see if it`s for me or not...

beardog03

01-01-2008, 01:51 PM

Since I hijacked Mr Beardog's thread, I'm letting him get into vinyl first ;) If it works for him I'll have to consider it :eek:

No worries...
Hijack away...(actually your not) it`s a forum where your responses help me too

dkg999

01-01-2008, 03:45 PM

My decision is whether or not to get back into vinyl? After that the only decision is what cartridge to get with the Rega P3. Hopefully something else will come up to occupy my time so I don't continue to consider this move :rolleyes:

beardog03

01-01-2008, 04:05 PM

I also want to know what is better / prefered...

MM or MC cartridges

SCompRacer

01-01-2008, 04:50 PM

Don’t forget Avid, Origin Live, Thorens, Nottingham and Sota.

You have some fine gear bear and I don’t think you will be happy with an entry level table. Just my opinion, but I’d demo some tables before you buy one. Or speak with a knowledgeable dealer or friends based on the sonics you prefer. Table and cartridge combinations can run the range from sporty dynamic, to musical, to rich and warm. If you have a listening taste, a table/cartridge choice is easier. I am fortunate to have some audio dealers nearby that have many brands of tables to choose from and that is how I made my choice.

In regards to MM or MC, you will get a wide range of opinions. Some are based on old information, as there have been major improvements in MC cartridges over the years. To me, the magic is in low output MC cartridges (<.5mV), provided your table/arm is very good and your phono stage has enough gain (like 65 to 68dB). Ask Joe, I think he would agree. Prior to having a high gain phono stage, I was happy with Dynavector and Sumiko high output MC's. Your likes may be different. A table choice should be like any other piece of audio gear. You either follow or lead. Your choice.

madmax

01-01-2008, 09:02 PM

dkg999

01-01-2008, 09:08 PM

I try to stay away from that MusicDirect place :eek: They are way too close to several clients I go see in the city and it gets real expensive to stop by their little retail outlet!

madmax

01-01-2008, 09:11 PM

I try to stay away from that MusicDirect place :eek: They are way too close to several clients I go see in the city and it gets real expensive to stop by their little retail outlet!

Ha ha, I'm glad I don't ever get to look around there. When I think of all the goodies I could walk out with... :D
madmax

hearingimpared

01-01-2008, 09:44 PM

Robert, this is the place to go if you are looking for a Music Hall TT.

Quest for Sound (http://www.questforsound.com/index.htm), Steve Monte is a great guy and is very, very reasonable. . . he'll definitely kill Music Direct's price or anyones price for that matter.

beardog03

01-02-2008, 09:44 AM

THanks for all the help guy`s...

I do appreciate it.

I have had to deal with some very stressful personl business lately , and haven`t had time to follow up on these leads....but I will..

and your right...I do want a table that I don`t want to upgrade for quite some time....I must keep the cost down to make sure it`s for me before I get to crazy with it

I will be using the Cary Pre, so I believe the only cart I can use is MM.....not sure if that narrows the playing field or not

The one thing I don`t want is what Wingnut said...scratches and pops and no demension, so...

madmax

01-02-2008, 12:30 PM

The one thing I don`t want is what Wingnut said...scratches and pops and no demension, so...

Just pull a few more leaves off the money tree. :D
madmax

TroyD

01-02-2008, 01:19 PM

BD,

Ran accross this, bro. Step up from entry level...good sounding table with limitless potential for modifications...priced right too.

http://buy.audiogon.com/cgia/cls.pl?anlgtabl&1204409295

BDT

hearingimpared

01-02-2008, 03:46 PM

BD,

Ran accross this, bro. Step up from entry level...good sounding table with limitless potential for modifications...priced right too.

http://buy.audiogon.com/cgia/cls.pl?anlgtabl&1204409295

BDT

If you go for this, make sure the seller will be responsible for any shipping occurance. If he had the original packing material I would feel better about the shipping. Ask him how he is going to protect the cartridge/stylus.

Face

01-02-2008, 05:30 PM

I couldn't agree more.

I had a dingbat ship me a TT with the platter still inside! Luckily it didn't really damage anything.

MillerLiteScott

01-02-2008, 08:15 PM

Its easy to talk yourself up in price bear. I would buy this model (5.1SE) if for some reason I had to start over on a budget. I heard it at bluemdpickers and truthfully would be very happy with it long term. For $300 less I might even try the one right below it, the 5.1 for $699 but have not heard that one. My guess is it would be very similar sounding.

http://www.musicdirect.com/product/73929

madmax

It looks like the 5.1 models do not have the glass platter like the regular 5 model has.

I can't buy it now but there is a MMF 5.1 on e-bay in the high $300 (last I checked ) with less that 24 hours to go. I bet it will still go close to the cost of a new one. We shall see.

Scott