Rega P3 RS, Michell TecnoDec, Avid Ingenium
I sold off my audio system several years ago after having lost my dedicated listening room to a home renovation (thaaaaat's right 
). I'm looking to build a new system at a relatively modest level and have been researching turntables in the $2000-$2500 range. The three I've been most focused on are the Rega P3 RS, the Michell TecnoDec and the Avid Ingenium. Needless to say it's difficult to listen to all of these turntables in person without traveling around the country, so I was hoping to tap into the collective knowledge of the forum. If anyone has any opinions on how these turntables compare then I'd love to hear them.
For reference, I've owned a Planar 3/RB300 in the distant past and really enjoyed it. I subsequently went to a Linn LP12, then a VPI Aries/SDS/JMW-10 and finally a Basis 2500 Signature/Vector 3. So, yeah, I'm kind of going backwards at this point but I've given myself a realistic budget and just want something relatively affordable and simple so that I can enjoy my LPs again.
Thanks in advance.
this may be boring looking, but the Sota TT started something, and that easily adjustable tonearm is one of my favorites, I bought one after getting advice here
You could always move that arm to something else in the future, and keep/sell the Sota, it would get you playing LP’s pretty quickly. ask seller if he has the alternate counter-weight (sometimes they hold back and sell them separately later). |
this version: the arm height is adjustable, the current model with an X in it’s part number, arm height is fixed. It has an optional phono preamp, so you can get started with any Line/Aux input, and add a better Phono Stage later. I used one for a few years during my CD era between my Thorens TD124 and JVC Victor TT81. A lightweight Technics in my mind, certainly a good starter, might find one for less $, but avoid the X version. I actually preferred the sound of it's dinky phono to my McIntosh C28 SS Preamp (even after I had the factory bring it back to specs, to keep or sell it). Sold, McIntosh mx110z found/bought/love it's phono's sound.
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@elliottbnewcombjr Thanks for all of the suggestions. However, I'm not looking for a vintage turntable setup. At the moment, I'm leaning heavily towards a Rega P-something - either a P3, P3 RS or, possibly, P6 - or the Michell TecnoDec. To answer some of your earlier questions:
Thanks again for taking the time to respond to this thread. |
(just type an @ and a pop down list of prior responders shows up, just click on a name) you have had some great stuff in the past, and I always think of others who might be following a discussion, so I post this and that ........ well, why Rega? low profile cartridge body, no arm height adjustment, no removable headshell, i.e. the most restrictive regarding cartridge choice/change? from the prior discussion: "I hadn’t known, and realized along the way that REGA purposely uses cartridge bodies with less than normal height and the arm height is not adjustable, thus the discussion of shims is to shim the arm height up if you change to a more conventional height cartridge like the AT MMs many of us recommend. audphile16,242 posts These look fine and the price is not bad https://www.audioadvice.com/products/acoustic-signature-rega-spacer-set-large
.......................................... The Ortofon is made specifically to fit the ’low profile’ REGA. top of your budget, $460. this is Ortofon’s Line Contact, low profile for REGA’s https://www.audioadvisor.com/or2mrbronze?sku=NEW-OR2MRBRONZE ........................... AI Quickie Results, beware of errors The height of a typical stereo cartridge body, measured from the stylus tip to the top of the cartridge, generally falls within a range of 15 mm to 19 mm, with many common models clustering around 17–18 mm. For example, Ortofon 2M series and Nagaoka MP series cartridges are approximately 18 mm tall , while Audio-Technica MM cartridges are typically around 17 mm. Some models, such as the Ortofon MC Rondo, can be as tall as 20.5 mm , and the Denon DL110 measures 17.6 mm. Shure cartridges are notably shorter at about 15 mm , and Rega cartridges are around 14 mm. A common observation is that many cartridges, when measured from the top of the cartridge to the free-hanging stylus tip, register close to 18 mm, though variations exist based on the specific model and manufacturer." |
@elliottbnewcombjr I think I've been using mentions correctly here, but I apologize if I've gotten it wrong in earlier posts. It's the first thread I've created on this forum. Why Rega? A few reasons: I've owned a Planar 3/RB300 in the (distant) past and enjoyed the 'table. The simplicity of the Rega turntable 'system' is also appealing at this point. I've spent decades playing around with high-end audio gear, reviewing gear for some small audio publications etc. At this point I just want to spend time enjoying/rediscovering my LP collection rather than thinking about the hardware. So the ultimate flexibility in mixing/matching gear is of less importance to me. |
