REGA Plinth up grade

[wen]

Not being a sonic wordsmith, the bass was more defined, mids more open and highs had more definition without being obtrusive, finding that i am listening to my vinyl collection all over again, just enjoying the music without listening for the hifi sound

[Steever]

My motor decouple modification is very effective.

 

 

I chose to stay with lightweight plinth and platter options. I went down the high-mass plinth and platter road years ago and toyed with it again with this Rega but I prefer the "bounce" and liveliness I get with what you see above. The bottom plinth is made from PE expanded foam board called Prolight. It's rigid, waterproof and about 30% lighter than the same size board made from MDF. The motor sits on this using a thick 3M VHB pad to further isolate but hold it firm at the same time. The top plinth is still the light-weight Rega chip board and high pressure laminate. The two are separated by IsoAcoustics Iso-puck mini footers and the whole thing sits on more Iso-puck mini footers.

 

While I've also rewired the arm and use a low mass platter now, the motor decouple mod was a more significant improvement. I hear no noise compared to previously and music comes out of a black sound stage making it seem more three dimensional and definitely more detailed and refined.  Apart from the likes of a Tango Spinner or Iceni sub-platter upgrade, the motor decouple is quite possibly the most cost effective upgrade you can do to a Rega (or similar) turntable.

 

Edited December 20, 2022 by Steever

[wen]

@Steever will look at separating the slate subplatter and mounting the motor on that, another project to consider for the new year

[Allan]

my P3 as it stands. Next I'm going to affix a metal plate to the underside & see what that brings, then remove the motor and house it externally (DIY).

I use to have a VPI Aries II, JMW 10.5 uni pivot with Lyra Dorian, so this P3 thing has a pretty tough role to take up. I'm running a Blackbird MC at the moment on the V6 arm, as it sits it needs better bass definition, I'm hoping more mass and a foot upgrade will sort that. Its dynamics couldn't be better, very realistic and its very quiet even on old LPs. Staging is nice and wide though depth needs improving, it is 2D though. I'm using the same phono stage I had for the VPI, an Era Gold and a step up. Early next year my Supratek will be ready to drive the Levinson dual mono onto ProAcs. Then its time I get cracking on finalising my 30 year project, Scan Speak 8545 based 3 way bitumen lined speakers finished in auto acrylic. Should kick butt

 

 

 

Edited December 20, 2022 by Allan