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Rega P25 w/orig Exact Cart - good? + mV question

Hi everyone, this is my first post and I'm getting the vinyl bug for some reason. So, I found a Rega P25 that has the original Rega Exact cartridge on it from 2001. The problem is that it's an estate situation and no one who is alive knows anything about the turntable, it's use, hours, etc. Obviously the remaining life on the cartridge would affect the value of the item.

How can I possibly tell if the cartridge still has a lot of life left on it or not? The turntable works, plays, and sounds great today and looks like it's been very well cared for.

And, what would you guys be willing to pay for a Rega P25 with an Exact cartridge on it, not knowing anything about the cartridge?

Also, I've been reading about different cartridges having different mV outputs, and so that raises another question. For now, this deck, if I buy it, would be going into a Yamaha RX-V3800 which has a 3.5mV input sensitivity spec and a 60mV maximum input voltage spec. Is this cartridge a good match for my receiver?

Thanks!
smhyde

Showing 1 response by vinyladdict

vinyladdict
164 posts
 
$700 seems fair IF it's in pristine condition. They sell here for around that in 9/10 shape. I would pretend the cartridge isn't included, honestly - you have no idea if it's even viable - I would budget for a new one.

Truth be told, I would budget for a new cartridge even if the Exact were brand new... not a huge fan of Rega carts. I run one of their tables and love it - their carts, not so much.

Slap a Shure M97x with a Jico SAS on it and you'll have everything you need.
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