Rega Planar 8 announced!

They sound really nice, but all cartridges do have a voice they give to recordings when they reproduce them. Some folks like certain voicings more than others. Many people on the internet pages just parrot what they have read. Many people also want to fit into a group, like say do sheep. Sometimes the best fit is had when you cut your own cloth.
-Bill

 

No doubt and I've taken that into consideration. Even though it's relatively inexpensive, it would still be more than I've ever spent on a cart (I tend to use Denons). I have a hard time justifying more on something disposable.

 

So your options are to buy one and listen or visit a dealer and listen...
-Bill

 

Actually the Exact I have on now is an Exact the dealer had used as a demo on another Rega table. He gave it to me for $50 when I bought the RP8 (4 months used) demo from him so it’s sort of my back up. But I gotta say is sounds fab on my RP8.

The Ania I bought was defective so he put the Exact on but I’m probably gonna switch to the new Hana in the new year.

For now the Exact on this table is just so good.

 

haha, thanks for the expertise. or keep watching for a used one

50 bucks, nice!

 

Yeah I paid $2000 for a four month lightly used demo RP8. I had an Upgraded RP6 and wasn’t really looking to upgrade. It sort of just appeared. I didn’t want to take my Exact off the RP6 so he offered one he had to demo sibce I told him I was going to buy a new stagecabd cart later from another local dealer who is a friend.

 

The Exact is a great cartridge but the VM540ML is better.

 

But it all depends on what sounds better in your system.

 

Rega RP8 w/o cart now $1995 at Music Direct. Might have to discuss this with my wife this weekend. Holidays and all...

 

that's what I paid for a four month old demo a year ago....

 

Another plus 1 for the Exact... im using an Apheta 1 on my P9 currently and overall its a good improvement but i do sometimes miss the slam and bombastic sound of the Exact on my old P7.

 

Thanks for the words of encouragement, the one I've had on pre-order shipped last night and should be here in a couple of days.

 

You may be benefitting from the exchange rate as the £ slumps against the $ because of our EU exit mess. Jump in. It’s making UK exports like Rega cheaper in overseas markets (for us) like the US. My on order Marvin Gaye MFSL will be relatively more expensive...

 

Music Direct now has the RP8 for $1,000 off. So tempting...

 

More likely, just blowing out the old models.

 

My Planar 8 arrived yesterday:

4:00 pm Unpack


Warm up overnight


This morning 3:00 am

Setup


The neighbors have left for work 8:45 am

Play records!

 

Looks great!

Was it supplied with a cartridge? And, most importantly, how does it sound?

 

Do you detect the tiny drop of unicorn blood that they mix into each foam plinth?

 

Beautiful table.

 

Gorgeous! How does it sound?

 

It came with an Apheta 2. I've listened through two albums and I'm through LP 1 on a third (Mark Knopfler's Privateering) and everything seems to be in order. None of the things I've read about the Apheta 2, that it's forward, bass light or bright are not true at least to my ears. Its very smooth and a bit warm with well defined bass, articulate midrange and slightly rolled off but very detailed treble. The noise floor when I got the Aria using my RP3 through its MM input dropped considerably but with the P8 and the Apheta through the MC the noise floor is out the window! Also, clicks and pops on the rare occasions they occur are much less intrusive than they were before. Oh, another thing I didn't know was there is no hum with an MC even with the volume turned up.

Everything is new right now so some adjustment time is required but I thing the P8 and Apheta are going to settle in nicely.

 

Awesome. Your experience w the Alpheta 2 and Aria are the same as mine. Super detailed, very low noise floor, tonally balanced, tight bass, and massive soundstage.

It is an amazing combo--enjoy!

 

Give the cart a good ten plus hours to break in....

 

That is one hideous looking turntable.
And people gripe about the aesthetics of the new Technics......
I don't like the looks of the pro-ject this seems to be based on either.

 

Different strokes for difference folks. It’s beautiful to me. Just different esthetics and it’s why there are many different brands and styles. .