Re : Rega turntables: wow & flutter and adjusting stylus
Stefan Svala
>: If you have the Rega RB300 arm, it has a dial on the side which is
>: labeled with tracking weights. Seems to me the best way to go,
>: though, would be to buy a tracking weight gauge. That way you can
>: be sure of what you're getting. I think Shure used to make
>: one. They probably sell them at higher-end stereo stores.
> The way the dial works is by increasing spring pressure on the
> inside of the arm, thus increasing downward force and effectively
> adding weight.
>
> This spring resonates and using the RB300 with a better table than
> the planar3 you can get a better sound by setting the dial to zero
> and adjusting the tracking weight by moving the counterweight and
> setting it with a guage
No, this is not correct. The spring press the arm *upwards*. Zero on
the dial is maximum spring preassure and the spring will be 'bypassed'
on three. Think about it, no way it could work as described above with
that small counterweight.
So, it should be with the dial on three and then moving the weight
until correct tracking force is obtained. You may need a heavier
counterweight for this.
Some people claim that RB250 is a better arm and as for myself I don't
really see the point of 300's spring design.
- Stefan Svala
Mus4plesr
work the way you have described. it is the only arm that when at 0 on
the dial actually has full force on the bearing. By using the dial to
add weight for the cartridge you actually decrease the force on the
bearing. Turntables were never designed to eliminate outside
vibrations of any kind only motor noises.welcome datacomp Where you
sit the table is vwery important for the sound. a wall shelf will
give you the best preformance. Craig-Pres. Music For Pleasure, St.
Louis, MO. USA
Anna1log
experience with the Rega Planar 3 in the context of a low powered
mini-monitor system (Proac Super Tablettes and British Fidelity A-1,
Grado MCZ V, Target speaker and equipment stands, Kimber 4VS) as (1) a
replacement for my 22 year-old Thorens TD160/TP16 with AQ mat and
Kimber PBJ and (2) as an alternative to the better and much more
expensive British (Linn LP12) and American (SOTA, VPI) tables.
Listening preference is small group acoustic jazz. I've read the
reviews and heard some of these products over the years in large
systems in dealer showrooms, but not in the context of a small
apartment system like mine. I'm intersted in personal antecdotal
information from anyone with a similar system who has been down this
same road. Thanks in advance.
Peter Westwood
I have a 25 year old Thorens TD150-II. I too was thinking of replacing
t with a Rega 2 or 3. In the end I had the existing deck serviced, put
a Rega 250 Arm on with a Linn K9 Cartridge, and saved about 50 UKP
over the Planar 2.
I like the overall sound now, and doubt that the Planar 2 would be
better. The 3 is supposed to be a better option for a MC devise, but
my amp dictated the MM, and so the 250 arm seemed best. I drive a set
of small Mission speakers via an Arcam Alpha 6 amp, and this give a
fine image and a sound I can listern to for hours. I have to confess
that it is not Jazz ! The motor ( which I though was duff ) was fine,
but in any case could have been replaced for about 70 UKP.
The TD150 is semi-collectable at the age mine is, and I expect the 160
with it's bold crome switch gear is also. 'Japan just can't get enough
of em'. If you decide to get rid of your 160 then I would recommend
looking at second hand LP12s. Assuming they haven't been beaten about
they last forever, and so should offer an excellent upgrade. If you
want somthing new then the Rega 3 is said to be excellent
value... Here in the UK we only pay 250 UKPs plus cartridge...
--
Peter Westwood : Tel +(44) 01252-838594, Frimley, Surrey, UK
Internet : p...@lapin.demon.co.uk