Rega P3 RS, Michell TecnoDec, Avid Ingenium

@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:

• I haven't decided on a cartridge yet.  That will depend on the turntable/arm choice I make.  If I buy a Rega I'll probably end up initially with something like an ND5 or ND7, although I've always preferred MC cartridges in the past.
   
• I own very few mono LPs, so a dedicated mono cartridge/second tonearm is not really a priority for me.
   
• Similar situation with the phono stage, I haven't decided yet.  To keep things simple at the outset, I'll likely opt for an integrated amp with an internal phono board, if possible.  That's what I've generally opted for in the past.   Way back when, I owned an Audible Illusions Modulus 3a with the internal MC board.  Even longer ago, an original Naim Nait with MC board.  And more recently (but still a long time ago) a Hovland HP-100 with MC board.  The fewer boxes the better, IMHO.
   
• You didn't ask what types of music I listen to.  Mostly jazz and classical, with some pop/rock thrown in for good measure.

Thanks again for taking the time to respond to this thread.

 

@lpluvr 

(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.

audphile1

6,242 posts

12-05-2025 at 01:57pm 

These look fine and the price is not bad

https://www.audioadvice.com/products/acoustic-signature-rega-spacer-set-large

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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

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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.  

That said, I do wish that the Rega arms had a more convenient way to adjust VTA.  Spacers 'work', but they aren't the most elegant of solutions.  OTOH, I don't consider the lack of a removable headshell a negative.  The fewer electrical connections between the cartridge and the tonearm the better, IMHO.  Most high-end turntable manufacturers seem to agree.  The lack of a clamp to physically couple the LP to the platter is another negative of the Rega in my book.  But Roy Gandy has his own way of thinking and it's hard to argue with his long-term success.  Not ideal, but not a showstopper.

The Michael table is a great choice! Dead quiet.  I've had mine for 25+ years.  Buy a strobe light and Cardas frequency sweep record to verify speed.  They can be set up with a plethora of arms and carts.  I've a SME V with Lyra Delos.  Works great!

@quincy Which Michell 'table do you have?