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April 24, 2008 - 6:24pm
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Rega P1 Platter Upgrade
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Maybe a better question is what is the correct order to upgrade items on my P1. If I am looking at upgrading the following, what is the logical order to do it: cartridge, platter, phono preamp (I have a Marantz PM7200 that has phono inputs), or something else?
Do the cartridge first. The preamp and platter are a wash.
When you say the preamp and platter are a wash, do you mean that the improvements would be similar or negligible?
Thanks for your opinion, I am looking at the Grado Prestige Series (what my local shop carries). Does anyone have any opinions on this line?
I'm not sure if the platter or a new phono preamp would yield more substantial improvements, but I know that replacing the OM-5E will go a long way.
If I'm honest, I can't figure out why people buy P1's and upgrade instead of just getting a P2's in the first place. I mean no offense, but I feel that your money would have gone further with more table from the start. The P1 is a fine table, but don't sink too much money into it. I think you'd be better off saving up for a P3-24.
IMHO
Thanks for the advice. The P1 was my first turntable, and I fell in love with listening to music on vinyl. Since it was an affordable choice, it made sense at the time. Now I am trying to get more out of it, but your advice of saving up for something more is good advice.
When looking at the P3-24 is the Elys cartridge a good option? I am concerned if I save up for the P3-24 I am just going to wish I would've saved for a few more months and gotten the P5. The price difference between the two isn't that far off, however after the P5 it gets pretty steep.
I am also concerned that if I go up to a P5 that my Marantz PM7200 integrated amp would be lacking in performance. Am I far off with that?
The Elys is an excellent match for the P3. It sounds great, and is just the right size, so that you don't need shims to adjust the VTA (imagine that!).
A little while ago, it would have been sound advice (haha) to keep saving for a P5, but the new P3 has gotten a lot of upgrades that make it more or less a P5 in humbler clothing. Now, if you wanted a P7.....
I would be thinking about an amplifier upgrade if I stepped into that much table, yes. Rega makes some nice equipment. It's nothing to look at, but it sounds nice. FWIW, I have a Brio3 and love it to death. I would have gotten a Mira, had I been able to afford it. My table is a Planar 3 (pre-2000).
Arcam also make some nice stuff.
I didn't mean to knock your P1 at all. It's a great table! I just feel that money is better spent on moving up the range - or on RECORDS!
Arm Sex:
http://www.audiomods.co.uk/armkits.html
Erik has done all the heavy lifting. Kudos.
Although, I think he underestimates the Marantz.
I've run a Michell Gyrodec with Zeta Van den Hul arm and a Lyera Helikon, Lyra Argo, Shure V-15V MR, Monster Cable Alpha cartridges through the model that precedes your Marantz and thoroughly enjoyed the performance of the Marantz.
I otherwise completely agree with Erik. Save up for the P-5 or above and keep the party going!
One thing I'd add...
Think long term, and try to shop in a realm of "retained value," with products that may offer and upgrade path or by choosing one item in your chain that is superlative, and spend future money "buying up" for other gear to fit together with the superlative piece.
Oh, one more thing...look beyond the typical pieces that get the usual air play. Make this a fun quest!
Hope that makes sense!
Budha,
Thanks for the advice. From your statements are you saying that my Marantz PM7200 would work okay with a higher level turntable (say a P5 or higher)?
I understand what you are saying spend future money buying up for other gear. I have a master plan for my Hi-Fi system the difficult part for me is figuring out if I buy a sweet turntable, will my integrated amp make it sound like crap. Or if I buy a great pre amp and power amp, will it make my P1 sound bad or my speakers (paradigm Monitor 7) sound bad. That is where I am getting into my issues, trying to understand what the limiting factor is in my current system. I know that my CD player is my limiting factor, but right now I am on a Vinyl kick and am holding off on getting a DVD-A or SACD player.
As for looking beyond the typical pieces, thats more difficult. I live in South Bend, IN which only has one Hi Fi shop. They carry Rega Turntables, Marantz, Rotel,Onkyo, and McIntosh electronics, and paradigm and B&W speakers (probably a few other speaker brands, but thats all I can remember off the top of my head). So looking at my local shop, where I can listen to stuff it limits my ability to look outside the usual suspects. I do go to Chicago quite often so anyone has some tips of good stores over there, I am all ears.
Also, I went ahead and got a new cartridge. I picked up the Grado Reference Gold. Mostly because it was what my local store carries, and they said that it would be able to go onto my next table and not be over the ability of the P1. Do ya'll agree?
All of your equipment is good. With the exception of some components that just have poor synergy, "good" is an intrinsic property. Buying one component that is better than the rest will not make anything else sound bad. You may not hear HOW good the new piece can sound, but good is good. I have Paradigm 7se Mk3's (a couple generations before your Monitor 7's), and I'm always rewarded for upstream improvements. Am I missing out relative to newer, more expensive speakers? Probably, but what I hear is wonderful, and not diminished by the thought of what I'm not hearing.
I do also recommend hearing some of the lesser-known stuff. My dealer carries AVI, which is a British brand that doesn't have much penetration Stateside. It's my favorite stuff in the store, and they sell Linn. You may end up with a more common brand - possibly due to economies of scale
- but it's fun to hear what's out there.
I think the Gold is a good bet for you; Your dealer is probably right that it will work well on the P1, but also be transferable to your next table.
Schwing!!