Cartridge Setup Question for Rega P10 with Hana Blue


Hello,

I'm upgrading my Rega P6 with Hana MK2 SL MC to the P10 with Hana Blue. I'm excited to get it, but I have a cartridge set-up question.

The Hana Blue is 1.8mm bigger (and heavier too) than a Rega Alpheta 3, which I'm guessing is probably what the P10 factory is optimized for. Do I need to use a shim/wedge when installing the cartridge or is angle skew of the stylus when it sits on the vinyl negligible?

I prefer not to add a shim between the tonearm and plinth, but could be convinced.

Thanks!

mikei

@mikei I just installed the Rega 2mm stainless shim under the TA2 tonearm (a modified Rega RB330) on a Michell Engineering TecnoDec.  It would have been easier to use washers or the two-piece kit from Acoustic Signature, but I wanted to use the official Rega part (call me crazy).  It's a bit more work to undo the ground wire from beneath the turntable and completely remove the three bolts securing the arm to the armboard, then pulling the ground wire/phono cables through the hole in the armboard, but it's not too bad and it all turned out well.  In case you're wondering, it's apparently recommended to place the flat side of the shim against the arm board and the recessed side against the base of the arm.  Someone on this forum and my audio dealer confirmed it, although I couldn't find anything official from Rega that stated that.

Very helpful info, thank you. I need to reconsider the Acoustic Signature solution. It looks like you have the ability to make adjustments in .5mm increments. I don't think it matters for the Blue, but it might be nice to have options for the future.

Had a P10 with a Hana SL. I used a Funk Firm achromat 3mm which provided the right height. So avoided to use a shim. Otherwise there is no choice to compensate since there is no VTA adjustment on the Rega. In any case I have been using the Achromat on three different turntables and the sound is much better than the original mat provided in all cases. My latest set up is the Hana Umami Blue on a Linn Akurate. Fantastic!

That's a really good solution, but I think I would need the opposite for the blue -- reduce my mat size by 1.8mm.

I have an ML on a p8. Adding the 2 piece 2 mm shim was painless and made a world of difference in the SQ.  Much more detail yet smoother. Highly recommended.