Do You Have a Turntable?

Interesting short article, especially the theory about bearing, cartridge and motor noise as main effects. I guess especially but not only main effects in more budget designs where motors often are fixated on the turntable chassis.

Anyway it would be interesting, too, to read about differences in base material where especially glass seems to be resonant in higher frequencies than any other base and with hardly any inner damping. I still think any better isolation from a glass base is good, while with other bases a kind of deduction into it or something inbetween can be better.

The best I experienced (even better than those active isolation platforms for electron microscopes) was a manually resonance optimized schist, done with inlays of damping material by control of a laser interferometer. Big differences in this case, maybe because motor/bearing was already on a high level.

Since I first took apart a toy, I couldn’t imagine not modding.

3 Likes

Anyone else with the Pro-next x10 if so, what carts are you using currently? Figured I’d throw it out there.

There are plenty of other brands that you can mod. If you think you can improve a Rega without wasting money you should be working for them.

Every brand can be improved, customized, tweaked, modded - including Rega. It is just a turntable.

If one is content with equipment out of the box this is fine, too.

2 Likes

I’m not sure what base is optimal, if it matters. I use an isolation base, but wood is very popular and acrylic or acetal might be OK.

I posted a picture of the P10 bearing here.

It’s incredible, compared to mine which is more expensive and made by a specialist engineering company with $millions of machining equipment. My own deck is a bit of a tribute to Rega as it uses a similar sub-plinth mounting (but with two motors) with Rega belts and Rega arm mounts. It uses the same Premotec motors as in an LP12 as they are very quiet, easy to replace and not that expensive (about $120 each).

Rega’s extremely lightweight construction is because it is effectively an extremely rigid anti-vibration device.

Says the guy who earlier wrote:

"I must admit I don’t understand this.

Rega have spent decades on all aspects of the design of their turntables, so why do people think that the feet have been ignored, especially on the top of the range model?

Moreover, why do people think that an aftermarket product not designed specifically for the RP10 is going to be better?"

:man_shrugging:t2:

Hence my earlier, “OMFG, dude…” response.

Don’t bother 'splaining that you don’t actually use a Rega.

Very few users of isolation bases or iso pucks beneath the feet of their TT’s/components would think that “people think that the feet have been ignored” on said component.

Well ye asked me question: do I have a turntable…

Well yes sir ah got me… a lazy susan goes round in around quite nice… :innocent: :innocent: :innocent: :laughing:

1 Like

One reason I bought my deck is because it can take two arms, which Rega cannot. I bought it in 2014, before the current Rega P8 and P10. I also had it wall mounted, so the fact it has spikes was fine (as does the $50,000 Rega Naiad). As the deck is now in a cabinet on a springy floor, I have it on an isolation plinth. This protects from external low frequencies, which you can hear if you walk around without using the plinth.

The Naiad has spikes and comes with a carbon fibre wall mount.

The Rega feet are designed so that the deck will perform well on a rack or table, as many owners do, when a wall mount is impractical. Rega supply replacement solid aluminium feet, which would be a good option when wall mount is used.

Wall-mounted, waiting for second arm mount to be fabricated, in my brief tube days.

3 Likes

I’m naturally curious. Not everyone is.

I resemble that remark.

Insatiably.

And there is no such thing as a perfect product.

1 Like

Breyer’s Butter Pecan Ice Cream proves that statement FALSE!

3 Likes

Well…
For me, I knew glass wasn’t the ideal surface for my P10 and asked about elsewhere on the potential benefit of a wall shelf.
General Takeaway: As I have a stone slab floor (and stone walls) keep the turntable where it is, but look at getting it off the glass shelf.

IsoAcoustic feet improve things in my situation, so happy ‘bout dat.
Guided only by my ears, if original feet sounded better I’d have returned the Isofeet.

Big fan of Rega here and their “vibration measuring devices” (Great book by the way)
Rega really Do know what they are doing.

Wow, Steven. Mr. Grumpster today….you’re usually a bit more open than that. There are plenty of examples of someone new coming along and improving upon a piece of equipment. Just because Rega has been doing this for years doesn’t mean they’ve got all the answers or have tried everything.

I would say go for it.

3 Likes

Let’s file it under „British and French audio industry needs continuous strong lobby support within the crisis“ :wink:

1 Like

Since this has turned into the Rega mod / no mod thread here goes…
Before I had my stock RP-10 I had a P5. To this fine mid-level table I made the following mods (all quite audible in a good way at least for me).

  • Groovetracer Mods (aerospace grade machinist and TT asylum dweller; good things):

  • Reference subplatter with sapphire thrust plate and zirconium ball bearing

  • Delrin platter

  • Counterweight

  • Other mods included tonearm rewire, BDR carbon cones for feet on BDR disks

  • Highest grade carts: Benz Micro Gullwing and Rega Apheta2

These mods did add up to some coin, but over time was a great way to hear improvements without unloading massive amounts at one time. FUN (for me at least).

That’s quiet a list. :slight_smile:

What does the Delrin platter do?

Delrin is a fascinating material, stable, strong, hard, self-lubricating, etc.

The Delrin platter is intended to match the material properties of the vinyl record. Some Rega purists would probably scoff at replacing the glass platter with felt mat, but “horses for courses” and all that.

Also, found that the felt mat on both of my TT’s caused major static cling issues.

Anyone with thoughts on the new Schiit turntable? I am toying with adding a table, even though I don’t own a single LP…
Grew up spinning the black circle though and it might be fun.

Interesting. Thanks!