Elys2 cart upgrade

I just received the Rega Elys2 cartidge in the mail today and have already installed it (replaced the stock Ortofon OM5e on an RP1).

Wow, what a nice difference! I didn't expect quite this much improvement. I started with Steely Dan's "Aja" (one of my "reference" album) and was pleased with the noticeable difference. Attacks are crisper and the bass punchier (and richer). Sound staging on Norah Jones' album "Come Away With Me" is much improved, with more separation between instruments.

Not sure why I didn't upgrade sooner!

And did I mention I saved over $100 by ordering from the UK? Sweet!

 

Wait until you break it in!

Mines just now broke in and sounds fantastic. Mine was factory fitted with my table but I am very happy with it.

 

Great cart. Good tracker. For a Rega, it's really sweet.

 

Had one – loved it! And yes, it gets even better after about 30-40 hours, the soundstage, bass and midrange really open up and the highs get even smoother. Why no third bolt for alignment?

 

You mean it gets even better?? Sweet!

I'm spinning the MoFi pressing of The Cars "Candy-O" now. Wow, what a great sound!

 

Hmmm... didn't come with a third bolt. Should it?

 

whaddya mean, for a Rega?

 

My RP3 was pre installed with a third bolt.

 

From memory, that's a 3rd bolt install. Makes alignment a non-worry.

 

OK, I'm new at this. Is there a tutorial or something on how to set this up correctly (alignment, tracking, etc)? I mean, I just bolted it on in the same position as the OM5e and cranked it on.

 

Make sure you align it right!! Non Rega turntable?

 

RP1.

I do see a third bolt hole in the Elys2 that aligns perfectly with the corresponding hole in the tonearm fitting. I guess it's aligned, there's just no bolt in place.

 

Should have been a third bolt in the box with it, mounts from the top down. Proper alignment is pretty crucial for carts. Looks like this on my Exact-2:

 

There were only two bolts in the box for this one but I took one of the bolts from the OM5e and placed it in the center hole (top down). The threads matched so it worked. I'm now on 3 bolts.

Thanks for the tip!

 

Man, that is one STUNNING picture. Holy cow.

 

Great! Remember to be very careful with the amount of torque, and that each bolt is as close as possible to being "just" snug, not tight and equal pressure all around. Enjoy!!!

 

OK I am out of my mind! Mine does not have a third bolt either. I had read about that before but mine came installed without the bolt.

 

From the factory???

 

Well, presumably. I bought it from Soundstage Direct. It was a Demo model, so I suspect some tinkering was done. It's been a fine table and I have had no real problems with it.
Has anyone bought a factory fresh table with a pre installed Elys2? Maybe someone can shed light on the 3 bolt subject.

 

Can't speak to preinstalls but I can tell you the packaging on my new one came with two bolts screwed into pre-drilled holes in the foam packing. There was no third hole for another bolt so I assume two bolts is standard if you buy the cart new.

 

The third bolt sets the overhang at the right distance for alignment to a Rega protractor. If you want to align the cartridge to a different protractor, like a Baerwald, you'd probably need to remove the third bolt and slide the cartridge around a little. You wouldn't happen to have the Rega alignment protractor, would you?

 

Comes standard with third bolt installed from Factory – and should be in box – both my P3-24/Elys-2 (cart bought separate from Rega dealer) and my RP6/Exact-2 (Factory fitted) came with three bolts.

 

Factory installation is an Ortofon with two bolts.

 

Two bolts for the Ortofon on the stock RP1, (and the Carbon, Bias-2 and RB78) was referring to the Elys-2 – which he bought.

 

I get it now.