Counterweights For Rega Turntables

I own a Rega P3 turntable, with the Groove Tracer Delrin platter and subplatter. I am now wondering whether it would be worth my while to upgrade the counter weight on my turntable to the Groove tracer or a less expensive alternative. With the Canadian dollar trading at less than $.75 US, the Groove tracer would come to $260. Canadian. The $35.00 US shipping fee plus taxes and duties would bring the total cost to close to $400.00 Canadian. Could anybody tell me how the Groove tracer counterweight would improve to sound of my turntable? I am also wondering if there are any less expensive alternatives that would do the same thing.

 

Assuming your RB300 is stock, I'd spend the money on a Cardas (or other litz wire) re-wire first.

 

I might be in minority here but the GT to my ears decreased the sound quality compared to the original CW.

 

Too much for a counterweight

 

I purchased the GT counterweight so I could close the dust cover after installing a spacer to accommodate a tall cartridge. I didn't notice any change in sound compared to the stock counterweight. The GT is hard to balance because it's asymmetrical. I also think it's ugly. I'd skip it unless you need it for functionality. Even then I'd just get the smaller diameter Rega counterweight. Other than the counterweight, I adore Groovetracer products, though.

 

I have the Pete Riggle counterweight and would recommend it. It has a better stub end that is really a structural mod. The weight itself is a little flashy for my taste, however I've put the old Rega counterweight on the Riggle stub and heard a notable degradation in definition. I think the hard coupling of the weight to the stub, and then the structural mod both help. I've not used the Origin counterweight, but I hear their stub is similar.

Others mention rewire, which is not a bad thing to do. I have the Incognito, and I've even cut that down and reterminated with better RCA connectors. That is particularly useful if you are trying to trim away capacitance.

 

I'm using the groovetracer cw on my office RP3, I felt there was a tightening of the imaging after installation.

 

I use the GT counterweight in black on my RP6. I heard no change in sound at all. I just prefer the look and feel of it.

 

I would get the record weight clamp before the counterweight

 

Based in some of the responses here, I'd say you're probably right. It would have to be a pretty substantial improvement to justify $400 (Canadian). I think I'll stick with the stock counterweight. I like the GT platter and subplatter though.

 

I felt there was a slight improvement in imaging and dynamics with the Groovetracer counterweight, and I love the looks and the feeling that I did all the Groovetracer upgrades. But if you have the sub-platter and platter and it is so costly to Canada, don't get that now.

 

I have a Michell Tecnoweight on my P5. It might be cheaper than a Groovetracer plus it's good for both light and heavy cartridges.

 

Groovetracer products are top notch! Have the delcrin platter, upgraded sub-platter, and counter weight......great sound.