Sub-$2K LOMC Recs for Rega P8

Hi all -- sorry to start another "what cart should I buy" thread but, I'm starting another "what cart should I buy thread"...

I've had a Rega Planar 8 about a year now, on which I've been running a Hana SH (which I brought from my old Rega P2). The Hana is great, but I've decided I'd like to make the leap to low output. My primary interest in LOMC is to extract even more detail and feed it into a system that is otherwise very lush (details in profile and below).

The obvious answer is the Apheta 3, but I'm hesitant to buy a Rega cart based on reviews I've read. I would gladly be convinced otherwise based on other experiences, but I also like the idea of buying from a cartridge-focused manufacturer (big or small).

The other easy answer is to move up the Hana lined to the ML, which I haven't ruled out, but I also would be interested in what others think. I unfortunately don't have time for demos, as much as I would love to do so.

So beyond Rega and Hana, what LOMCs sound great AND play nice with your Regas (notably, no fine tuning VTA).

Also, I'm completely open to buying used in this price range.

Rest of system:

Rega Planar 8 --> DIY Phono Stage (one solid state with adjustable gain; one tube based requiring SUT -- if people care about details happy to share here) --> Rogue Cronus Magnum II --> Harbeth 30.1

 

i was hesitant about buying a Rega cart because of _the internet_ too, but I took a chance on an Exact and it's better (on a RP6) than the Audio Technica and Denon carts I ran before it.

 

Just my input...

Love love love the sound of the Alpheta 2 on my RP10. When it is time to replace it I will go with the Alpheta 3. I have the Aria phono so it is also just the natural pairing.

Anyway, in another system I am due to replace the Exact on one of my RP6s, and I am pretty set on trying the Dynavector 20X2L with a 2mm shim.

 

That Dynavector 20x2L and the Ortofon Quintet Black were both recommended to me as being better than the Hana or Rega carts when I was shopping for my P8. Ended up going with the Apheta2 but have filed those recommendations away for later.

 

Yes, I have RP6 > Exact > Fono MM. there is some peace of mind knowing that all are good matches together. not to mention the peace of mind that comes with the 3 point mounting system.

did you try anything before the Exact?

 

Just wondering (I simply do not know) what makes Rega tonearm (is it RB880) so sensitive to certain cartridges? I tried Hana SL on Rega 330 (or whatever parts Acoustic Solid used to assemble it's Rega clone) and it worked fairly well (but def not as good as with Origin Live Encounter mk3c). I remember trying to find specifications for Rega (and OL arm for that matter) and could not...
Now I am mostly playing Benz Micro Wood SL and to my ears it is miles better then Hana SL (and in your price range), however I dismantle my Rega clone long time ago so do not know how good match it will be..

 

the only thing I can think of is if the cartridge is off a proper compliance for the mass of the tone arm...and whether or not the cart’s height works with the standard tone arm VTA

 

And that what I was trying to find out - Rega's effective mass - and could not. On my table VTA could be adjusted pretty easy with a single screw, dunno about Rega. But most cartridges have the same height.

 

You nailed it — Rega does not publish exact specs for its tone arms. The best I can find is that effective mass of the RB880 is “probably” 11.5g. Compounding the challenge in looking at calculated resonance frequencies is that the cart manufacturers don’t always post compliance data in a standardized way that makes it easy to calculate. As such, doing the math for Rega — particularly their newer models — seems to be challenging.

I appreciate everyone’s input so far. I have had the Dynavector on my short list, as well as Benz Micro. My preferred local dealer used to sell Benz, but I’m not sure they still do.

FWIW, I have always shimmed my Ortofon and Hana carts on Rega TTs. Currently have the Hana SH at 2mm using the Rega spacer. It plays flawlessly, though I had it spaced a bit higher on the P2. I decided to split the difference and just use one shim on the RB880.

 

Haven't tried other carts on the RP6s yet. I have one RP6/Exact going into the Rega Fono, and another RP6/Exact into a Manley Chinook. The Rega Fono is great, but the much more expensive phono stage shows what the Exact can really do.

 

I would for sure put the Apheta3 on your short list.

Ortofon Cadenza Red and Cadenza Blue would also work well in "roughly" the same price points as the others.

 

I bought the close-out RP8 probably about the same time you bought your Planar 8. Mine came fitted with the Apheta2 for a very nice price. IMO, this is a source of friction with TT owners - getting a good deal with a TT but having to pony up some years later. Anyway, the combo has proven to be very very good, it took a few hundred hours but it is worth it. I actually am using the Rega FONO MC. I have a Rouge RP5 which is reported to have a very good phono-stage and I found the budget Rega PS beat it.

 

Around 11 gramms

 

I would get this one-- A stellar, incredibly dynamic cartridge short enough to mount on a Rega arm sans spacers (or a 2mm spacer max).

Dynavector 17DX Karat Moving Coil Cartridge

 

@jphabc54 Where exactly is NoVa? Northern Virginia? I'm guessing that's right. Benz-Micro has ended there distribution relationship with Musical Surroundings. Distribution is now being handled throughout North America out of Canada directly by Benz-Micro. So this may explain why your dealer is no longer one of their dealers. Currently there aren't any US dealers listed on their new website. The one thing I've noticed is that models there were discontinued within North America years ago have been brought back. These include ACE and the Glider. If you click through their Canadian dealers, you can see the US pricing of the available models. I'm guessing that Musical Surrounding didn't want to carry the ACE and the Glider because of market overlap with their distribution of Hana products. Regardless I linked one of the dealers Benz Micro pricing pages.
Benz Micro North America – Benz Micro Swiss Phono Cartridges
Element Acoustics - Home of Hi-End Audio

 

I use an Exact with my P8 coupled to a Graham Slee Accession phono stage....no complaints whatsoever.

 

Thanks very much! Yes, Northern Virginia/Washington D.C. -- this explains a lot!

 

I’ve been running a Dynavector XX2 on a Rega P6 and it sounds great. 2mm shim.

 

Thanks everyone for the responses — ended up grabbing a used Benz Micro Wood SL — should be arriving today.

 

Do any of you guys get hum using LOMC carts on Rega tables? I never got any using HOMC carts but haven't tried LOMC.

 

I run the low output Hana SL on my P6 (Fono MC preamp) and experience no audible hum at normal to even fairly loud volume levels. If I really crank things, sure it’s there...but is always drowned out by the music, record surface noise, etc.

 

P6 with Dynavector XX-2 and no hum issues at all for me.

 

I have tried at33ptgii, hana sl, ania, alpheta 2.
None of those hummed.