Rega Planar 3 : Heavily upgraded yet produces a sound that I don't like
I have the Rega Planar 3 turntable for 30 years now. It had
an original everything including a 100$ nottingham analogue cartridge/stylus.
Sound was not bad but pretty basic....
A few years ago I started upgrading it. I did all the
upgrades together and the result is... not good. The sound is very accurate but it is too bright, there is almost no
Bass and drums have no attack whatsoever.
I can't eliminate where the problem is because all upgrades
are irreversible.
I know that the
Ortofon Rondo Red has a very bright sound but still...
Here is a list of the upgrades :
1. ISOkinetik ISOvert Rega Tonearm VTA Adjustment Kit
2. Cardas Litz purple phono cable
3. ISOkinetik Tonearm Low CG weight
https://www.analogueseduction.net/isokinetik-upgrades-and-parts/isokinetik-isoweight.html
4. Ortofon Rondo Red Cartridge/stylus
5 Linn Linto phono pre amp (an old but outstanding piece which has a cult following).
6. I use Rega Elicit Apmplifer
I found a relevant thread I started a few years ago. The tech specs I listed there show no mismatch: "Rondo red: Recommended load impedance 10-200 Ohm Linn linto: The input impedance measured 165 ohms at 1kHz http://www.ortofon.com/products/cartridges/moving-coil/mc-rondo-series/mc-rondo-red |
This is the link to read. http://www.extremephono.com/Loading.htm The circuit would typically be an R-C in series and that is placed between the +/- at the input to the amp (or in the amp). Most cartridges today into a higher impedance load (the Linn is not "high", but not low either), will have a bump in the high frequencies and a bit of a dip below that. That is going to make them sound bright. Changing your cartridge is not going to fix the issue, at least not guaranteed. It could be better, or it could be worse. I can't tell you the exact value since I don't have your cartridge and amp. Maybe Ortofon could help? They may be able to provide some guidance on loading for a flat frequency response. |
