Are all turntables alike?

[Asere]

78’s were Mono.

So it's a 78 speed record?

 

[Asere]

On Ebay the Rega Rp3 goes for $500 thus far bidding. Is the RP3 older then the P3?

 

[Matthew J Poes]

So it's a 78 speed record?

No I think it is an LP. Stereo was first introduced on microgroove LP’s in the late 50’s.

You don’t want 78’s unless you’re really into that kind of music. They don’t generally sound good and tricky to deal with. You need a special needle, special record player capable of the 78rpm speed, and a special phono preamp with the right eq. The RIAA curve was standardized until like 1954 and it was only used on LP’s as far as I know. So with 78’s you would potentially have 100’s of different eqs to deal with.

I have a few 78 record players left with my father and I used to have some 78’s. I don’t understand the appeal. They sound awful.

 

[Asere]

Looks like i'm narrowing my search for uturn or rega planar 3.

 

[Asere]

No I think it is an LP. Stereo was first introduced on microgroove LP’s in the late 50’s.

You don’t want 78’s unless you’re really into that kind of music. They don’t generally sound good and tricky to deal with. You need a special needle, special record player capable of the 78rpm speed, and a special phono preamp with the right eq. The RIAA curve was standardized until like 1954 and it was only used on LP’s as far as I know. So with 78’s you would potentially have 100’s of different eqs to deal with.

I have a few 78 record players left with my father and I used to have some 78’s. I don’t understand the appeal. They sound awful.

Ok thank you Matthew. Do you know what's the difference between Rega Rp3 and the P3? Is an Rp3 worth getting?
I don't mean the P3 but RP3 that's older.

 

[Matthew J Poes]

Ok thank you Matthew. Do you know what's the difference between Rega Rp3 and the P3? Is an Rp3 worth getting?
I don't mean the P3 but RP3 that's older.

The RP3 name stood for Rega Planar 3. The new one is simply called the Rega P3 but it too stands for Rega Planar 3. What you are really asking is how they improved over the generations.

You have to know exactly how old the used one is to know the differences. The new current generation uses a much improved motor and motor controller over the old models. The bearing is also improved. I think the arms are basically the same, maybe there are improvements. You would have to ask Rega.

The RP3’s are actually what i have more experience around. If you could get one for a price you can afford and it’s not too old, I would suggest that might be better than the one I suggested. I say might because modern motors and motor controllers are a lot better than the old ones. That’s the unknown for me.

In the end I can promise you this much, whichever you get you will likely be both happy with and having some level of upgraditis. It’s inevitable. Even if you spend $10,000 on a rig, there would always be something better out there. I suggest picking one you like and just buying it. The differences between these tables is very small and ant sound difference will be relatively modest. A much better use of your time will be spent listening to your records. Any of them can be nicely upgraded in time if you wish.

 

[Asere]

The RP3 name stood for Rega Planar 3. The new one is simply called the Rega P3 but it too stands for Rega Planar 3. What you are really asking is how they improved over the generations.

You have to know exactly how old the used one is to know the differences. The new current generation uses a much improved motor and motor controller over the old models. The bearing is also improved. I think the arms are basically the same, maybe there are improvements. You would have to ask Rega.

The RP3’s are actually what i have more experience around. If you could get one for a price you can afford and it’s not too old, I would suggest that might be better than the one I suggested. I say might because modern motors and motor controllers are a lot better than the old ones. That’s the unknown for me.

In the end I can promise you this much, whichever you get you will likely be both happy with and having some level of upgraditis. It’s inevitable. Even if you spend $10,000 on a rig, there would always be something better out there. I suggest picking one you like and just buying it. The differences between these tables is very small and ant sound difference will be relatively modest. A much better use of your time will be spent listening to your records. Any of them can be nicely upgraded in time if you wish.

Yes I know it can be confusing because rega has had many updates under similar names. The seller said it has around 100 hours of use. It comes with the red 2m vs Elys that the RP3 comes with. Makes me wonder why he is using the lesser cartridge. Here is a pic.

 

[Matthew J Poes]

Yes I know it can be confusing because rega has had many updates under similar names. The seller said it has around 100 hours of use. It comes with the red 2m vs Elys that the RP3 comes with. Makes me wonder why he is using the lesser cartridge. Here is a pic.

My guess is he threw a cheap cartridge on it to sell it.

http://www.rega.co.uk/planar-3-2016.html This suggests that pretty much everything improved including the arm. In any case, I wouldn’t lose sleep over this. I’m sure the older RP3 is fine. It was very well thought of. It was the defacto standard entry level table for a long time. As the price went up they introduced new cheaper models. I’ve nevet been a huge fan of the cheaper ones but I always liked the Planar 3 for the money.

 

[Matthew J Poes]

Here’s my table by the way. In case you are curious.

 

[Asere]

My guess is he threw a cheap cartridge on it to sell it.

http://www.rega.co.uk/planar-3-2016.html This suggests that pretty much everything improved including the arm. In any case, I wouldn’t lose sleep over this. I’m sure the older RP3 is fine. It was very well thought of. It was the defacto standard entry level table for a long time. As the price went up they introduced new cheaper models. I’ve nevet been a huge fan of the cheaper ones but I always liked the Planar 3 for the money.

From the older rp3 and a uturn would you say they are both entry level?

 

[Asere]

That's a nice looking table. What brand is it?

 

[Mark C Flick]

The U-Turn Audio Orbit Custom looks like a pretty good deal. I do wonder though, who thought it would be a good idea to install that cheesy looking power switch in such a prominent place. Why not place it on the back side so it's nice, clean and classy or use something with a little more style. Then again, maybe I'm just picking nits

 

[Asere]

Here’s my table by the way. In case you are curious.

Very nice. What's the brand?

 

[Matthew J Poes]

Very nice. What's the brand?

https://www.acoustic-solid.com/en/turntables/classic-line/75-solid-111.html
Older version of this.

 

[Asere]

https://www.acoustic-solid.com/en/turntables/classic-line/75-solid-111.html
Older version of this.

That's one sweet looking turntable. Im sure it's very expensive. Looks futuristic

 

[Asere]

Anyone here familiar with Fluance brand? Was looking at the RT85 model.
Are they reliable and make good turntables?

 

[Asere]

Well guys after much searching I settled for the Music Hall Ikura with the 2m blue. I got it on Ebay used. The owner bought it in September or October of 2018 from an authorized dealer. I bought for $579.
I figured the Ikura goes for $1000+ new so it can't be entry level since most entry level brands can go for $500 new.
I hope I made a good decision.
Thanks to everyone here that took their time helping me decide.

 

[Asere]

I finally got my Ikura turntable set up to my avr phono stage and all sounds good. As an AV addict though I must ask.
Will a preamp produce better sound and have much better gain?
I've been eyeing Vincent Pho 8 and Schiit Mani for starters.

 

[ddude003]

Asere, in a general sense a Phono Stage Preamp has the potential to sound better and have a better interface with the Phono Cartridge... Most Separates have the potential to perform and sound better than Integrateds in that a Focused Function along with Separate Chassis and Power Supplies often provide superior price/performance over shoving everything into one box, letting Maxwell, Tesla and Faraday fight and calling it a day... Your sound quality is only as good as the worst performing piece of your signal processing chain (read stereo/AV system)... If you plan to feed the output of a new Phono Stage Preamp back into your AVR you may not get all the benefit you might get if you were to feed it directly into an Amplifier... Of course, there are many parts to this systems approach puzzle and almost any piece of kit is not exactly an apples to apples comparison... And there are lots of signal matching (like Impedance matching vs. voltage gain) issues between each component to be worked out...

 

[Asere]

Asere, in a general sense a Phono Stage Preamp has the potential to sound better and have a better interface with the Phono Cartridge... Most Separates have the potential to perform and sound better than Integrateds in that a Focused Function along with Separate Chassis and Power Supplies often provide superior price/performance over shoving everything into one box, letting Maxwell, Tesla and Faraday fight and calling it a day... Your sound quality is only as good as the worst performing piece of your signal processing chain (read stereo/AV system)... If you plan to feed the output of a new Phono Stage Preamp back into your AVR you may not get all the benefit you might get if you were to feed it directly into an Amplifier... Of course, there are many parts to this systems approach puzzle and almost any piece of kit is not exactly an apples to apples comparison... And there are lots of signal matching (like Impedance matching vs. voltage gain) issues between each component to be worked out...

For me in stereo it sounds good but with direct and pure direct mode I feel I lose detail and I have to crank it up more.
Will a preamp help with this or is it simply because pure direct bypasses all processing?

 

[ddude003]

For me in stereo it sounds good but with direct and pure direct mode I feel I lose detail and I have to crank it up more.
Will a preamp help with this or is it simply because pure direct bypasses all processing?

Asere, I am thinking the differences you are hearing have to do with Audyssey Dynamic EQ and Dynamic Volume processing being bypassed in pure direct mode...

I also wonder about the gain structure you might have running a Phono Stage PreAmp into your AVR being that you would be running a PreAmp (Phono Stage) into a PreAmp (AVR) and then Amp (AVR)... Does the Phono Stage you are looking at have a fixed attenuation mode to deal with the gain structure or some DIP switches to select Impedance matching vs. voltage gain...

 

[Asere]

Asere, I am thinking the differences you are hearing have to do with Audyssey Dynamic EQ and Dynamic Volume processing being bypassed in pure direct mode...

I also wonder about the gain structure you might have running a Phono Stage PreAmp into your AVR being that you would be running a PreAmp (Phono Stage) into a PreAmp (AVR) and then Amp (AVR)... Does the Phono Stage you are looking at have a fixed attenuation mode to deal with the gain structure or some DIP switches to select Impedance matching vs. voltage gain...

Good point. I think XT32 is on in stereo.
Im not sure im following the phono stuff you mentioned. But my setup right now is turntable to avr phono. What I want to do is turntable to a preamp to avr aux as an example.
I have been looking at Pyle pp999, Project Tube box DS, Schiit mani and Vincent Pho 8.

 

[ddude003]

Good point. I think XT32 is on in stereo.
Im not sure im following the phono stuff you mentioned. But my setup right now is turntable to avr phono. What I want to do is turntable to a preamp to avr aux as an example.
I have been looking at Pyle pp999, Project Tube box DS, Schiit mani and Vincent Pho 8.

A quick look at the docs shows that the Project Tube box DS and Schiit mani have some user selectable gain switches which best match the Phono Cartridge and manage gain... The Pyle and Vincent not so much and maybe you need to double check... And it does appear that all have Line Level output (2v although this may be a bit harsh for some preamps, 200 mV @ 1.2 k ohms into my PreAmp is the sweet spot) which would go into your AVR AUX...

 

[Asere]

A quick look at the docs shows that the Project Tube box DS and Schiit mani have some user selectable gain switches which best match the Phono Cartridge and manage gain... The Pyle and Vincent not so much and maybe you need to double check... And it does appear that all have Line Level output (2v although this may be a bit harsh with some preamps, 200 mV @ 1.2 k ohms into my PreAmp is the sweet spot) which would go into your AVR AUX...

Thanks for looking up the specs. Man I looked up the project tube ds manual and I have no idea or understand what all the switches do. I may have to stick to Vincent Pho or Pyle but the Pyle being only $14 i'm sure I won't get much improvement compared the my receiver phono.

 

[ddude003]

Thanks for looking up the specs. Man I looked up the project tube ds manual and I have no idea or understand what all the switches do. I may have to stick to Vincent Pho or Pyle but the Pyle being only $14 i'm sure I won't get much improvement compared the my receiver phono.

Your welcome... I would encourage you to learn about the concept of Gain Structure in general and especially as it relates to Phono Cartridge to Phono Stage PreAmps and again from PreAmps to Amplifiers... This is one of the areas where a little knowledge can improve the synergy or AV NIRVANA between the components of a system...

PS - The Project Tube box DS looks like the nicest and most flexible of the four choices... And because build quality and Tubes... ;^)
PPSS - Oops, my bad, it looks like the Schiit mani has gain management switches after all...