Weight...real good upgrade. I had the Icognito wire which was a major move for the better.
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Thank you....I read that my RB300 came with "a tungsten counterweight which was later replaced by a cheaper (and larger) stainless steel counterweight. The tungsten weight is still available as an upgrade from Rega." I will be also looking for a new wire...I am sure it is going to be a good improvement... |
05-19-08: DkzzzzI've never heard anyone who has installed a Tecnoweight say they didn't notice a difference. It's a major upgrade on an RB300. I can't recommend it strongly enough. I immediately noticed a deeper and tighter bottom end. It also allows you to set the tracking force on the weight stub rather than using the spring-loaded dial. The spring dial will never be as accurate. You should read this article at Vinyl Engine: Michell TecnoWeight I also installed an Incognito in an RB300 a few years ago. It's a relatively easy upgrade with good instructions and everything laid out for you. However, you can buy all the parts separately and make your own "incognito" for less than half the price. Check this out. If I had to choose between these two upgrades, I'd do the Tecnoweight first. It gives a bigger bang for the buck. The RB300 is a very good arm that has a lot of hidden potential. If you're willing to spend the time tweaking it, you can get excellent results. -Mark |
I heard that I won´t get such a big improvement installing the Tecnoweight, comparing to the tungsten weight(Rega) which I noticed was already installed in my RB300. That´s true ?Hernani, it's not true. The metal composition is irrelevant. It's the shape that's important. The dropped lobe of the Tecnoweight lowers the center of gravity of the arm to the plane of the stylus tip. Michell uses the same counter weight on their $1200 Tecnoarm. I assure you, this is a significant upgrade. If you don't hear an improvement after installing, it probably says more about the limitations of your system. FWIW, the Rega Tungston and the Expessimo Heavyweight were the soup du jour in the early 90s. The Technoweight is a newer, better design. Check out these other forums: Rega upgrades/tweeks Review: Rega Planar 3 Turntable |
I am looking into diferent weights for Rega P3. I wonder how much more heavier the Groovertracer(130g) weight than a stock one? 130g seems like a lot of extra weight pushing down on the tonearm's bearings, isn't it? Also I cannot find the answer to my question regarding Stylus force adjustment. Would installing Groovetracer require to disable original Rega force adjustment wheel? |
Dkzzzz, The stock Rega counterweight is 100gms. A heavier weight is necessary to counterbalance heavy MC cartridges so 130gm c'weight will not damage arm bearings. If you don't want a 130gm counterweight Groovetracer has 110gm c'weights as well. I would also suggest buying at the very least an inexpensive tracking force gauge. |
Hi Folks, May I adjust, in the Planar 3, the cartridge force by only using the weight, leaving the traking force in zero ? I heard the RB300´s traking force is not very useful.... What about the bias adjustment ? I also heard that in Rega RB300 is better to leave it in a lower value than the one indicated by the cartridge maker. On the contrary, Rega suggests to keep it in the upper limit... Anyway, there are a lot of "myths" about this arm and I count on your usual help.. Thank you all, Hernani |
May I adjust, in the Planar 3, the cartridge force by only using the weight, leaving the traking force in zero ?Yes you can, but you'll need a stylus pressure gauge to set the tracking force. What about the bias adjustment ? I also heard that in Rega RB300 is better to leave it in a lower value than the one indicated by the cartridge maker. On the contrary, Rega suggests to keep it in the upper limit...Bias adjustment on a cartridge? I don't understand the question. Are you talking about anti-skating? Or tracking force? |
Thank you for your return. Actually, I have already adjust the tracking force only by using the weight ( setting with a stylus pressure gauge). I felt the sound better..Am I be crazy ? Mingles, you are right..it means anti-skating....just below the tonearm....Rega uses to call it bias adjusment.. Thanks, Hernani |
Dkzzzz, I have already checked the Rega wheel accurancy by using the stylus gauge and in fact there is a little difference. However, what I am saying, is that I really felt a sound improvement by setting up the traking force using only the weight, keeping the Rega Wheel in zero. I really don´t know the reason why. The same thing I noticed when I kept the anti-skating in a lower value than the one indicated ( 1,75g ). I kept it in 1g or even less...I am still in doubt about this procedure.... |
Is your table relatively leveled? Have you checked it with carpenter's level? That might contribute to the change in a sound, just a guess. I try it on my Rega as well tonight(seting the skate lower). As far as all talk about Rega wheel being inaccurate...well the rumor was created to (as I expected)justify additional spending. |
I am juts speculating but the reason sound changes when you leave Rega Wheel at zero is because that spring inhibits the arm up and down movement when wound tight. Thus, my guess is when it is at zero and arm is relatively free to bounce up and down with only resistance provided by the bearings, the sound reproduction improves. |
Thank you for your return Dkzzz..Your guess about the Rega Wheel may be correct.... Yes, I have already checked my TT with a carpenter´s level and it is just fine..Sorry, I didn´t understand...Have you also tested a lower anti-skating in your Rega ? If so, what did you think ? As well as , have you also tried to leave the Rega Wheel in zero, feeling a sound improvement ? Thanks, Hernani |