Hi there I wondered if I could get some advice please. After a recent move, I dusted down my old hifi. I have a TEAC ah500i, accompanying CD player, and a refurbished pair of Mission 780s. And a pair of Grado 125e. I purchased a Rega Planar 1 Plus. I've got it on a solid shelf. I changed the RAC cables and got a big boost in sound quality. I think actually the TT was a mistake as I could have bought a Planar 2 and used the phono stage on my amp. I don't have a mega-budget but can do some upgrades and would gladly spend a few hundred EUR to achieve better sound. So here's my question: would you say I'd be better off trading in the 1 Plus for a 2 or upgrading the 1? I was thinking about getting a Goldring E3, an Origin Live counterweight, a new belt and a mat, 250 EUR, which is the hit I'd probably take on trading it in and starting over. The sound I get now is usually pretty good, with my original Blue Monday 12" offering really stunning, punchy sound. Overall, I can hear reasonable detail but Id like a bit more definition and clearer treble, especially on some (mint) 60s classical recordings I inherited from my grandfather. Hope that makes sense, Im still getting to grips with audiophile terms! Thanks for any advice!
IMO the Planar 1+ is a mistake all together. Not only by you, but by Rega. And I think you are beginning to understand why. With an included phono stage that can not be by-passed, it completely limits your upgrade path. You are restricted to cartridges to that match well with the Fono Mini. Why Rega didn't just offer a package that included the separate component baffles me. Regardless if you are willing to start over and take the hit for the better deck, I think you should. If you decide to go with an upgrade path now or later with a new deck, I wouldn't bother with the counterweight. Rather I would suggest a cheap subplatter upgrade like a Tango Spinner. I can't comment on the Goldring, I should fit the either the RB110 or RB220 well enough, but it should be further matched to the phono stage as well. I'm guess it works with the Fono Mini as the stock cartridge is 2.5mV and the Goldring is 3.5mV. As any Rega MM cartridge should be suitable with the Fono Mini, there shouldn't be an issue. Rega MM carts are very high output. So you are well within the range. For belts, the white belt is very good, but, I've found Isokinetik belts to be as good and they are cheaper than the stock black Rega belt. If you want to upgrade go with these belts. I have no opinion on the felt platter mat, as I've never used one. I would think the wool mat is better though.
Thanks for that. Kind of confirms my thinking. Once I'd got good sounds out of the 1, I knew I wanted to push things a little further than it would go. She Who Must Be Obeyed will likely be unhappy so I will do a few transferable upgrades first. Then I'll either get a 2 or see if I can find a good second-hand 3 in a month or two. A good subplatter first and a new drive belt. My amp is really pretty good I think. How can I see if the phono stage is any good without plugging TT in? Thanks again! Appreciate your opinion.