My Rega P5 dem

What you did was bring up the possibility of a 6 grand turntable for someone who doesn't (yet) own any records.
Source first requires source material first ;-)
Mike, go with the Rega and start on the records. Dean, as usual, is spot on in his assessment and vinyl will unlock whole new areas of enjoyment. Searching out and enjoying records is not like buying CDs

 

Back in the old days (in the UK at least) you could go into an enthusiastic Linn dealer and have a demo that would make it absolutely clear that the best LP12 setup was worth aspiring to. The first time I heard an LP12 was at such a place, on a farm in Devon, when I was buying a Rega Planar 3.

So it's a bit of a shame that Michael has found a suitable dealer but didn't get the aspirational injection. I'll blame Clearaudio....

Anyway playing records is always pleasurable and the P5 will be more than good enough to be doing with. Until he gets a decent set of speakers and amps anyway...

Paul

 

Geez, how did I miss the fact that our gracious host here owns not a single LP? I so wrongly assumed that a bigshot like Michael was already sittin' on stacks-o-wax. In that case, a stock P3 would sound downright revelatory after years spent listening exclusively to CDs! Kindly disregard everything I've said up 'til now (although you seem to have done so anyway ), a wondrous new world awaits!

Cheers, Dex

 

I agree. The results of Mike's demo say a lot about that particular brand...

 

Joel,

I have to agree with this comment. Much of my purchases are second hand and benefit greatly from a run on my Moth MK2 RCM, even some new pressings benefit. I find it especially pleasing to restore a crackle ridden LP to near mint, removing nearly all cracks and pops. It makes you smile all the more when you restore a record that may have cost as little as 50p and would cost maybe twenty times to buy new. Results can differ as it can't repair groove damage as you probably well know. I have my technique fine tuned now after quite a bit of practice this year :MILD: .

Michaelab

Vinyl is a really nice way to enjoy your favourite music, I hope you derive as much pleasure from the black stuff as I have managed to over the years. The Rega is a bloody good deck and I'm not at all shocked you liked the noise it made. Best of luck anyway.


KXF

 

Yeah, it can be hard work to find a particular recording/pressing, but ultimately rewarding in more ways than one!

KXF

 

Dean - interesting comments, thanks. Certainly I think that source first has a lot more validity with vinyl front ends that it does for CD.

Paul - don't think I wasn't left aspiring to something better...like a P9, but for now the P5 will do me just fine. Once I'm more into vinyl I'll no doubt start listening to a lot of alternative front ends and start shaping up the definitive upgrade.

Dex - thanks for your comments, I haven't disregarded them, just taken note and filed them .

Michael.

 

Don't know if this review has been mentioned, but it seems to agree with your dem findings.

 

Good link - a well-written review.

 

Well from the look of the review, the P7 would have a tough time up against the Vpi and NA so the P5 must be some way off.

Still it's a Rega

 

Well...I may be comparing an NA with a P7 fairly soon so I'll let you know

(need a non-suspended child-friendly TT)

 

Gromit,

please do yourself a favour and listen to the Vpi at the same time - you may well find that for you, it is comfortably better than the others and truly upgradable to boot.

 

I suppose that's the way a Vpi owner would view the review . The impression I get (from the review) is that the P5 competes well with the VPI Scout for significantly less money

Michael.

 

I'm also a VPI owner, but that's not how I see things

 

Aha!! Thanks Michael - that kind of opens the window a little bit

Seriously - I'd lay my cards on the table by saying I'm a big fan of the Rega sound, and do like the speed and warts'n'all character they display. Lack of colouration and absolute tonal accuracy don't rank particularly high on my list of priorities. My current set-up, to some ears, might be a bit harsh and 2-dimensional but it certainly rocks.

 

That's an interesting and convenient slant Michael

So the review concludes that the PSU makes great improvements, the P7 improves on this in areas such as tonal complexity and honesty, and the P7 would struggle against the Scout.

And yet you say the cheaper and supposedly inferior P5 would compete with the Scout Nice How about a DBT.

I have nothing against Rega decks - I have owned a P3 as a stopgap - and am delighted that you are going down the vinyl route. I just find it sad that yet another person buys the staple recommendation despite the access to the internet and the remarkable amount of information recommending alternatives. I can only assume the badge is of great importance here

And Gromit, the Scout also rocks, and possesses the timing and pace you associate with Rega whilst adding a whole lot more to the party for very little money. Check out the Stereophile review by the same author and you may well guage a slightly higher level of enthusiasm.

 

Yup - did a search for the VPI/Stereophile review and like you say, it does appear very promising.

It's not everyday one buys a new turntable, my Gyro being only my 4th in well over 25 years. Normally I'd not be even thinking of a new TT as I do love the Gyro's strengths but with our 'new addition' to the family, something that's a bit more robust would be very welcome. The fact that a Rega's relatively light and can be mounted on a fairly compact wallshelf, away from prying little fingers, is also a big draw. Looking forward to some listening

 

Even though they may not be the ultimate in turntable sound,I do believe Rega deserve to be held in high esteem,and get the praise they do.

The planers for one, I guess are around 15-20 years old,yet still hold thier value,you won't lose much money on them,can you say that for many other brands?

Regas don't brake down,the just go on and on,maybe change the belt after 15 years,nice to you know your buying a relaible product.

Place down and go,no set up worries,just sit the thing on a shelf(rega) and away you go.

The arms,are just a give away at thier price point,and are used on all types of decks,from budget to higher end.

Rega stick to thier principles,arn't influenced by trends and advertise in mags.


Just for thoes few reasons alone,people who want a good,if not ultimate sounding TT chose Rega.VIVA LA REGA!

 

Yep Adam,

if you replace the word Rega with Vpi and Planar with HW19, you'd get an impression from the other side of the pond

 

Art Dudley, Stereophile, December, 2004

Just so's we knows about what which we're speaking here, I don't consider the phrase "competition" to mean quite the SOTA slam-dunk Merlin seems to interpret in the VPI's favor. And while I could happily look at a Spacedeck on my shelf, I don't believe I could say the same about the Scout over the next 10-20 year's time.

Dex