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Turntable advice / opinion on setup / sound.

Hello all you analog experts. I am seeking some advice, opinions and direction to try, based on my tastes and setup. 

I’m not loving my current TT sound but there are variables that could cause this. For reference, my favorite TT I ever owned was the ClearAudio Champion Level 2 (wish I never sold it) because it was warm and had a huge stage. 

  1. I listen to every style of music, smooth jazz to hard metal. 
  2. I have to turn the volume way up to get the get the level I like which at times has hiss and a tiny bit of hum. Compared to digital sources which have none of these issues. 
  3. I find this setup to lack huge stage and warmth. 

My current system is:

  1. Rega Planar 8 w/ Alpheta 2 MC cart.  
  2. Cambridge Audio -> Alva Duo Phono Pre amp
  3. Mark Levinson -> No 585 Amp. 
  4. Martin Logan 15a Renaissance -> 8FT apart/ 3ft off the front wall and 3 FT from each side wall. I sit 9FT away from the speakers.  

The turntables I am considering are:

1) Musical Fidelity -> M8XTT

What cart would you use?

2) Michell Audio -> Gyro SE Turntable

3) Clear Audio Champion Level 2

Thank you all in advance for any guidance and opinions you can offer. 

necrosuit
faustuss's avatar
faustuss
816 posts
 

@elliottbnewcombjr 

https://www.rega.co.uk/download/rb330-retail-instructions-master-2017.pdf zoom in on page one.

https://www.rega.co.uk/download/TA-RB880-RETAIL-UNI.pdf

 

All RB series tonearms are cast from the same tool. The main difference is in the quality of the gimbal bearings and the vertical bearing housings which do not affect the geometry. 

faustuss's avatar
faustuss
816 posts
 

@elliottbnewcombjr 

If you’ve got a couple few extra bucks lying around there’s one of these. I'm not endorsing it of course.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/115044476480?_

elliottbnewcombjr
7,731 posts
 

@faustuss 

Blessings be upon you!!!!

Now, anyone could mount any cartridge on these Rega Arms properly! (222mm mounting distance)

I like round numbers, I have a chance of remembering them.

15 mm overhang (14.5)

57 mm inner null point (56.9mm)

117 mm outer null point (116.84) 

 

For proper VTA: don’t forget to shim the arm height properly for your cartridge’s height. Rega’s are 14mm high. Add ____? thick shim to get up to your cartridge’s height.

Get the measurements, or Measure when lowered with tracking force applied

Rega and other’s sell them, many require you to fully disconnect the arm to put the single piece circular shims in place.

This kit lets you slip two pieces in from the edges, so you do NOT need to remove the arm, just loosen it, slide them in, tighten it.

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

elliottbnewcombjr
7,731 posts
 

@dover 

what misinformation?

I ask you, who if anyone has gathered the specifics of using non-Rega cartridges on Rega TT’s better than me?

How much resistance did I need to overcome to get to the answers?

It shouldn't be that way.

 

 

 

billstevenson
1,184 posts
 

I don't know guys.  Please don't shoot me for saying this but that set up disc looks...well...let me put it this way I wouldn't trust it for an expensive cartridge.  Let me put it another way, I can set 222mm on my Feikert too, but would that establish a valid set up?  My doubts it.  You can do what you want.  Of course you can.  But will it be right?  What harm could it cause to records?  To stylus?  To Cantilever?  Will it sound OK with minimum distortion?  Proceed with caution.  Or not.  

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