My first "real" system was Planet>Brio>RS1's. I was very happy with it ... If I had to nominate the best value-for-money hifi brand, it'd be Rega.
I agree, I think it's well above the others in this category, like Nad, Rotel, Cambridge. All of those brands are good but I feel like Rega just does it that much better. As long as you don't need all the bells and whistles.
Currently running an Elex-R of which I am very fond. Had a demo of the Elicit-R at the start of the year and wasn’t sure. I get the impression the Elex-R was the sweet spot for you. Would you be willing to elaborate on the differences between it and the Elicit-R?
Very different sonic signature. Much more "neutral" sounding whereas the Brio and Elex were "lively". If you want a more developed Elex you need to skip to the Aethos really.
Perhaps you should visit a Rega dealer and audition the new Rega decks? There is a video on YouTube that compares the the previous rp3 to the new planar 3 here is the link
Thanks for the suggestion. Given the mods I have made on my 3, I'd definitely go straight to the Planar 6.
On my P2, the stock cartridge is the Carbon. Id like to hear some suggestions for the next step up let's keep it between 2-300 cad. Was looking at the Bias-2 or the Nagaoka Mp-110. Thoughts? I need it to be easy to install, as I have to do it myself and have very limited experience doing it, so would prefer no messing about with shims, etc.
I'm not keen on the new foam core design I've been seeing. The Planar 10 at my dealer in the summer had it. I know it is meant to have sound benefits as part of their light-weight rigid plinth philisophy, but it just doesn't look good to me. I know they use it for the other models from the Planar 6 upwards now. And I've also seen the stories about the warping foam core plinths on the Planar 6. It makes me uneasy when I think about an upgrade to a 6 or 8. But there's a purity I like about the Regas. And I get a sense you need to spend at least twice as much to get as a good turntable from another manufacturer.
I have a modified P25 that had a Benz Glider SM on it until the suspension gave out. Ortofon lists the RB600 as compatible with the Quintet series. I put a Cadenza Blue on it with no trouble. These arms are under-rated IMO as my P25 is 20 years old now.
Most of my "grown-up" gear has been Rega. To be fair I haven't that many opportunities to compare it to other gear, but I'm pretty happy with my setup. Sometimes I get a bit of "wanderlust" and shop the internet, then decide..."Oh, man - I gotta upgrade (x)!" When I sit down and listen, though...it's practically transformative. Current system is RP8, Rega Cursa pre, Rega Exon monoblocks, Rega RS5 (along with an AT cartridge and a Graham Slee Accession). I think Rega offers the best bang for the buck, their customer service is among the best I've ever experienced, and I think they just make good gear that sounds good.
I'm the same, it's not in me to stick with pieces of gear for very long. And I know there are presumably better components out there, but when I sit and listen I'm too afraid of just messing up what I enjoy so much!
Then the Rega Bias 2 is the way to go. No shims would be involved, and the Bias / antiskate on the p2 deck would work with the Rega Bias 2. I’m sure you will find the Bias 2, to be a worthwhile upgrade over the carbon
The rack works well..great isolation from the floor etc and my p6 seems to be happy (wall is stone block which helps)
I have a P2 with a Groovetracer Reference sub-platter, AT VM 95 ML cartridge and the Little Belter blue belt! The colour makes all the difference! Seriously, all worthwhile upgrades. I wasn't sure what to expect with the sub-platter upgrade, but was blown away by the difference. Now I know what "noise floor" means. With the cartridge, I initially tried the LP Gear elliptical, which was an improvement on the stock conical on the Carbon, and a cheap upgrade. The VM 95 ML was a big jump up in quality. I'd recommend all these upgrades, even if it does put you in the same ballpark as a P3, price wise. Has anyone compared a similarly modified P2 up against a P3 or higher?