Rega Planar 2 (2016) vs Pro-Ject Debut Carbon DC: No Contest

I believe that Rega recommends that wool mat that comes with the table. I know others go down an entirely separate rabbit hole on platter mats, but I would use it with the felt mat for a couple of months before trying anything else.

 

I have my doubts about those apps as well. I will say that it did measure dead on 33.3 on my friends sl-1200.

 

Are you sure the Pro-ject was professionally setup? Minor alignment issues could likely be the reason the Rega sounds better.

 

No mat upgrades here. Either supplied mat or none.

 

Just measured...both my Rega tables are Spot On.

 

Set up perfectly with electronic stylus gauge etc. even using excellent Kimber Silver Streak cables.

 

Anytime you can spend more on a new turntable you generally get more. The point of diminishing returns starts to kick in at about $5,000. $250 may not seem like a lot of money but it is about a 25% price increase (please don't check my math). Spend 20% more than you did on the rp2 and it should also be an improvement. I think that is why they make an rp3.

 

that didn't take long. Glad it worked out.

 

The Planar three is $1200 with recommended Elys2 cart..so a big jump.

 

I would still suggest taking it to a hi-fi store . They have a lot more tools and experience to spot alignment issues.

 

Moot point. The P2 is far auperior.

 

Indeed but don't be surprised if you get there. Based on the fact you replaced a DC in 6 months for SQ and you were pretty quick to measure the speed on the rp2, I think it's safe to say you have the fever.

 

Um, no. If you check my profile page you will see i have a Planar 3 in my main system. The Carbon DC was in my office system, and was really bumming me out. It had to go.

 

Those DC's come factory aligned and are generally spot on. It is a table with a high noise floor, it doesn't take much volume or a crazy revealing system to hear mechanical noises.

 

..or hum.

 

Ah, a second table system. That definitely helps control the fever. I'm kind of in the same situation. I have a Carbon in an office system and the noise starts to bug me after an hour or two.

 

Yup. When it gets to the point where you are not looking forward to spinning records, it has to go.

 

you know, not so much. At least not in the way most people describe but I can certainly hear stuff that doesn't sound like music with just a bit more than moderate volume.

 

I found when i fiddled with it i could chase the hum away but i got very tired of playing that game.

 

I went from a Pioneer PLX-1000 to a P3 and the P3 is superior in every way. I've gone full bore on upgrades and it only gets better. I love this thing. I hated my late '90s Planar 2.

I measured the speed on my P3 and as expected, it's a wee bit fast- .11 rpm at 33.33- so 33.44. And it isn't detectable.

 

I never had that but I can safely say the build quality on the Carbon is very poor. It is flimsy, light and little attention to detail. It was way better than the old Technics sl-23 it replaced but it was built to be cheap. I have no doubt that anything could break at any time. I remember thinking that the cart and tonearm was better than the stock RP1 when I was looking at it.

 

What upgrades did you go for?

I think most would agree Rega products now are ridiculously better than from the 90s. Why do you think digital came
to the forefront. Garbage vinyl and lousy tables.

I can absolutley guarentee that .11 rpm is in no way detectable.

 

If you get the box that allows you to adjust the RPM, you can hear .11. But I agree it is unlikely anyone would ever walk into a room and say, "you know what, I'm hearing .11 off on that table."

 

Groovetracer Delryn Platter and Reference Subplatter. SRM Tech Rega Silent Base. Audiomods arm- going to sell the Rega RB330 arm. Might do a dual belt setup. Looking at cartridges now.

Edit- forgot the TTPS. Bought that too.