I am importing mine.
I got mine in the mail from the UK today. I think there’s a subtle improvement over the “white” belt. Haven’t had much time to listen. . . .
Further listening and yes, this is definitely the best belt that I have had on my turntable. A bit more separation of instruments, a bit more “real” sounding . . . . Anyone else get one of these and have some listening time in?
Picked one up from a local dealer, but it is in a spares box. Won’t see any time until fall at the earliest. It will be going on the wife’s Rega P8.
I predict it will make an improvement. It sure works well on my RP3 with the TTPS, Elys2, Groovetracer Reference subplatter, Delrin platter, counterweight and record weight.
That is my understanding as well. The P8 is stock with the Aphetta 3 MC, RB 880, tone arm, and Neo PSU. Substituted the felt dust magnet mat with the Achromat, which opened up the sound and dynamics slightly.
Does it count as a tweak if it comes from the manufacturer?
My thought is if not originally provided then yes a tweak it is. The Achromat surely is an improvement. Rega may think otherwise but the felt was creating side issues with dust and static.
I didn’t like that aspect of the felt mat either. With the Delrin platter from Groovetracer I don’t use a mat.
Until the Achromat was in place we ran it naked as well.
Rega is fun, you can’t properly adjust a cartridge, but you have a ton of minor tweaks available
Shims are your friend. For the adjustment OCD I have a VPI Prime with the 3D tonearm including the on the fly VTA adjustment tower.
Yes, been there, done that with a lot of patience and a load of different shims, it works at least for a rough optical match.
Or select a cartridge that is more forgiving, for example one featuring an elliptical stylus.
I haven’t had issues using Rega cartridges. I love the sound of my tweaked RP3–I just get into the music and don’t obsess. (Although I must confess that having the TTPSU plugged into the P15 contributes a lot as does having the turntable sitting on Mapleshade triple point Megafoot footers atop a PS Audio Powerbase).
A key factor to use Rega turntables (for me) is the fact that with their own cartridges, I am no longer concerned with the VTA. I have replaced the felt mat with Origin Live mat with good results.
Given that I use a heavy rack with for under each tier, I have been a bit complacent not trying TT platforms. I probably should try a Townshend Isolation Platform.
My experience with the Rega is limited, but the P8 with the Apheta 3 is great. Sound wise everything is locked in which supports your comment that there is no reason to worry about adjustments with a Rega cart in a Rega turntable. The drawback, in my case, with Rega was in the past I never did find their cartridges all that appealing, especially at the price point. The Apheta 3 has been a revelation.
I always thought part of the appeal of a Rega was that no tweaking was required.
I have a P6/Ania and that is one of things I appreciate about it relative to something like an LP12/VPI/etc. Regas are very “plug and play.”
Very true, except earlier phono carts were their achilles heel. Once dialed in a Linn is pretty much hands off. Dialing it in takes some time compared to a Rega with a Rega cart. My experience with a VPI rime and 3D tone arm is set-up is easy and straight forward. The VTA tower is a nice feature if one is so inclined to dial in LPs to the cartridge. There is no one standout across the three IME, each has its strengths and weaknesses.
Originally, I got my RP8 with Apheta 2. I got my revelation when I upgraded my phono stage to Stellar Phono Preamp. Later on, things went to a new level with P10, Aphta 3, and Aura MC phono stage. @kcleveland123 is very pleased with the latest Aphelion. So, it could take over when the Apheta 3 gets tired.