jefftobin85 Posted July 7, 2021 Posted July 7, 2021 Hi all, I really need some advice before I buy my new cartridge, I have the rega planar 3 2016 model and am going to upgade to a 2m bronze, i have read that you need a rega spacer for it to work properly but everywhere i look says i need either no spacer, 2mm, or even 4mm...can anyone who has this turntable and a 2m cartridge help me out so i know exactly what I need to buy?
wen Posted July 7, 2021 Posted July 7, 2021 i have used an ortofon 2M Bronze on a Rega Planar 2 with a Moth/Rega 3 point mounting arm, prefered mine with 6mm spacing, 4mm was just ok. Changed to an Otrofon Quintet Blue MC for simular money, has been in the system longer than the Bronze
DT999 Posted July 10, 2021 Posted July 10, 2021 I have a 2M bronze on my P3, I have used a 3mm spacer by Isokinetic. It has a cut out making it easy to install without having to fully remove the tonearm. Just undo the 3 screws, loosen the cable clamp underneath and raise the tonearm up a little, slip spacer under and put screws back, re tighten cable clamp. Just don't overtighten the screws when you put them back, slightly nip them up just over finger tight. Link to Spacer https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/184042537037 Works well, but watch out if you put larger spacers in as counterweight may catch on lid, there is not much clearance.
jefftobin85 Posted July 11, 2021 Author Posted July 11, 2021 https://www.melbournehifi.com.au/search?q=Rega+spacer I was thinking if just getting these ones..would one 2mm be fine or should I get two so it's 4mm?
DT999 Posted July 11, 2021 Posted July 11, 2021 9 hours ago, jefftobin85 said: https://www.melbournehifi.com.au/search?q=Rega+spacer I was thinking if just getting these ones..would one 2mm be fine or should I get two so it's 4mm? I would suggest the 2mm, as I said, 4mm might cause the counterweight to foul on the lid when you raise the arm by that much. You can put an underslung weight on or get a heavier tungsten weight which has a smaller diameter to stop it hitting the lid, but that is more cost. There may be benefits to changing the counterweight, but that is a different issue. Try the 2mm and see how you go, you can always add more later if you need, and don't forget you can also change the platter mat. Something like the Origin Live upgrade platter mat is only 1mm thick, compared to 2 - 3mm of the felt mat, so effectively is same as using a spacer under the arm. Also don't forget. records themselves are different thicknesses, from very thin flexible ones from the 70's and 80's through to 180 and 200g thick records, so VTA changes from record to record anyway; don't get too hung up on this - the 2M Bronze isn't that sensitive to VTA.
jefftobin85 Posted July 12, 2021 Author Posted July 12, 2021 11 hours ago, DT999 said: I would suggest the 2mm, as I said, 4mm might cause the counterweight to foul on the lid when you raise the arm by that much. You can put an underslung weight on or get a heavier tungsten weight which has a smaller diameter to stop it hitting the lid, but that is more cost. There may be benefits to changing the counterweight, but that is a different issue. Try the 2mm and see how you go, you can always add more later if you need, and don't forget you can also change the platter mat. Something like the Origin Live upgrade platter mat is only 1mm thick, compared to 2 - 3mm of the felt mat, so effectively is same as using a spacer under the arm. Also don't forget. records themselves are different thicknesses, from very thin flexible ones from the 70's and 80's through to 180 and 200g thick records, so VTA changes from record to record anyway; don't get too hung up on this - the 2M Bronze isn't that sensitive to VTA. I have a Pro-Ject Leather It Leather Mat that seems a bit thinner, would rather just go 1 spacer as I dont want a new counter weight. do you think 2mm that this mat would be enough?
DT999 Posted July 12, 2021 Posted July 12, 2021 2 hours ago, jefftobin85 said: I have a Pro-Ject Leather It Leather Mat that seems a bit thinner, would rather just go 1 spacer as I dont want a new counter weight. do you think 2mm that this mat would be enough? Yes IMO that will be fine
jefftobin85 Posted July 13, 2021 Author Posted July 13, 2021 13 hours ago, DT999 said: Yes IMO that will be fine Or should I just go the rega exact, I'm starting to think that might be the best option given its a rega turntable
DT999 Posted July 13, 2021 Posted July 13, 2021 1 hour ago, jefftobin85 said: Or should I just go the rega exact, I'm starting to think that might be the best option given its a rega turntable That I can't help you with; cartridges are something of a personal choice. I chose the 2M Bronze after I heard it on a P3 at an audio shop in Melbourne when I was auditioning amplifiers and liked it so I got one. It is the main cart I have fitted to my Rega, but I also have a few others I switch in and out on this and my other TT. If you are unsure, then Rega cartridges will be easier to fit and set up. They are shorter than many others so the height of tonearm on Rega turntables is correct for them, and they have 3 screw mounting which sets overhang so they are more plug and play without having to use a protractor etc. Just set the VTF and anti-skate and you're good to go.
jefftobin85 Posted July 13, 2021 Author Posted July 13, 2021 6 hours ago, DT999 said: That I can't help you with; cartridges are something of a personal choice. I chose the 2M Bronze after I heard it on a P3 at an audio shop in Melbourne when I was auditioning amplifiers and liked it so I got one. It is the main cart I have fitted to my Rega, but I also have a few others I switch in and out on this and my other TT. If you are unsure, then Rega cartridges will be easier to fit and set up. They are shorter than many others so the height of tonearm on Rega turntables is correct for them, and they have 3 screw mounting which sets overhang so they are more plug and play without having to use a protractor etc. Just set the VTF and anti-skate and you're good to go. yeah i went with the exact a new reference belt, seems less hassle for roughly the same performance
DT999 Posted July 13, 2021 Posted July 13, 2021 22 minutes ago, jefftobin85 said: yeah i went with the exact a new reference belt, seems less hassle for roughly the same performance Excellent, enjoy the music
Alistair_1972 Posted July 14, 2021 Posted July 14, 2021 I had a 2M blue on my Planar 3 but found it a little to bright for system (my whardedales are a little on the bright side) I also gave the Elyss MKII a go because of the Rega 'synergy' but frankly, despite being a Rega fan boy, I simply can't warm to their carts at all (I listened to the Exact and it didn't blow me away, but I wouldn't take anything from that I had a spacer on my table that I got from Carlton Audio Visual but can't remember the mm I now have a Sumiko Moonstone which I love. I'd like to try the Ortofon Quintet Blue
jefftobin85 Posted July 14, 2021 Author Posted July 14, 2021 2 hours ago, Alistair_1972 said: I had a 2M blue on my Planar 3 but found it a little to bright for system (my whardedales are a little on the bright side) I also gave the Elyss MKII a go because of the Rega 'synergy' but frankly, despite being a Rega fan boy, I simply can't warm to their carts at all (I listened to the Exact and it didn't blow me away, but I wouldn't take anything from that I had a spacer on my table that I got from Carlton Audio Visual but can't remember the mm I now have a Sumiko Moonstone which I love. I'd like to try the Ortofon Quintet Blue I went with the exact so it's in god's hands now lol
Alistair_1972 Posted July 14, 2021 Posted July 14, 2021 33 minutes ago, jefftobin85 said: I went with the exact so it's in god's hands now lol I hope it works out for you mate and keen to know how you get on
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