Rawshack
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Posts posted by Rawshack
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3 hours ago, RNWau said:
Al, have you tried toeing out the speakers as I suggested earlier? Extreme toe-in (so that the apex of the sound ‘triangle’ ends up in front of your listening position) can also work?
For me personally, speaker setup/fiddling can yield major benefits without spending any dosh?
Hey mate yes I have and it did help for sure.
I think that the stylus upgrade as recommended will work wonders
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So i had some free time yesterday and did some comparative listening. I've give the usual caveat that me describing audio quality is like someone without taste buds trying to describe a '82 Petrus.
So with that in mind, here's a brief summary
- 2M Blue - Bright, detailed, punchy. Lacks a little detail in the bass. My 'all sounds the same to me' partner remarked this was her favourite.
- AT VM95EN - Lots of mid weight, definite drop in detail from the 2M Blue, but engaging, warm and rounded. My personal favourite
- Elys 2 40 Special Edition - Doesn't do anything wrong, but doesn't really do anything particularly well either. It's warm and a decent all-rounder is the best I can say. I haven't spent a huge amount of time with it, but early impressions reinforce what I've read around Rega carts.
With this in mind, I've narrowed down to 3 options
- Upgrade the stylus on the VM95 to the ML. Cheapest and easiest option, the stylus can be had for mid-$200 range
- Get the VM540ML, which seems to get a lot of praise. Looking mid to late $300s for that bad boy
- Take a punt on the Sumiko Olympia, which sounds like it's got everything I'm looking for.
Curious to know what peoples thoughts are.
Cheers
Al
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Other option I am looking at is a VM95SH but it's hard to find any real decent reviews of this
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On 30/03/2021 at 12:51 PM, Warren Jones said:
If I were looking for a new cartridge now I would give serious consideration to the AT VM540ML.
I would love to find this, but can only seem to get it premounted on a headshell.
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Item Condition: GoodShipping Options: Pickup available and you can audition.,Shipping is available at agreed cost.Suburb or Town: MelbourneState: VICPayment Method: Paypal, EFT, Cash on PickupReason for selling: No longer required
Further information:
Not very old, had around 30 hours or so and in good condition. Still have the stylus guard and original box (although, that's a little worse for wear due to being tossed around in my hi-fi draw)
Any questions please let me know
Cheers
Al
Photos:
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Item: Audio Technica VM540ML
Price Range: 0-$300
Item Condition: New or Used
Extra Info:Keen to get my hands on one of these. Thanks!
Please don't forget to report your post as FOUND when possible. (You can now delete this text).
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19 minutes ago, aussievintage said:
If you like the AT (I do too btw) why keep looking? Just upgrade to an ML stylus/cart from that, or one their better ranges. You'll get the detail back and retain the sound you like. Personally I love my AT VM95ML.
Yeah thanks mate I've heard there's a massive leap when you get to the ML and there does seem to be a lot of love for it out there in cyber hi-fi land
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Interestingly, I stuck an old AT-95VMEN that i forgot I had lying around and the difference was incredible. Obviously it's not the same class as the 2M blue and there was a sacrifice in detail, but the overall sound was much warmer, rounder and richer... More 'vinyl'
I can obviously do better than the Audio Technica, so might look at the Sumiko
Thanks everyone for taking an interest and replying. While I am relatively new to this, I am discovering that carts are - and to my partners dismay - becoming my passion in the hi-fi world
Al
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5 minutes ago, blakey72 said:
Ahh ok. Do you think the speakers are a little on the bright side of neutral with other sources? Say cd?
Yup, with other sources they're on the brighter side of things, but the 2m tips them into Mr Brightside territory
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Just now, blakey72 said:
Hey @Rawshack Al, which phono-pre are you using?
I'm using the phono stage in the i/o. It's pretty decent (same stage as in the Brio, I believe)
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7 hours ago, RNWau said:
I’d highly recommend checking out a Sumiko cart...they’re lovely and pair well with a Rega (as noted earlier in the thread). I love the Amethyst in their MM range, but the Olympia is also decent.
A left field suggestion if haven’t tried and you want to take out a little brightness is to square your speakers a little i.e reduce the toe-in. High frequencies tend to be very directional so reducing toe-in can send some of the high end past your ears as opposed to at them.
Hey mate, interestingly (or not), I've been looking into the Sumiko's and the olympia gets good press. According to one review, it was the best pound for pound performer out of the range (though not necessarily the best)
Given that I've discovered my speakers are naturally bright (Denton 85s), the 2M was never going to be a good fit.
The Olympia is in my budget so will give it a pop
Cheers
Al
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So an update on this....
I've been living with the 2M Blue on my Planar 3 for a couple of weeks and it's good.
But....
As I've read elsewhere, the 2M blue is on the brighter side of things and there are times I feel like I'm listening to a CD (again, a comment that i've heard mentioned about some Ortofon carts). The bass is there, but it's certainly not prominent and I feel like a) I'm not getting the best out of this table with this cart and b) it's lacking that 'vinyl sound'
I understand that the 2M is a well respected and popular cart, but for my ears it's a quick fling and won't be putting a ring on it
Al
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16 hours ago, jimbobbity said:
Would love to try one but they are too bloody expensive and have yet to see a 2nd hand or discounted one.
I only got mine as it's ex-demo
It's good for sure. but wonder if a cart upgrade would have been a better purchase
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That's a lovely looking deck.
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3 minutes ago, Blackbriar said:
Rawshack, what do you mean by not good experience with elys 2 and Bias carts on P1 ? They dont sound right?
I personally don't think that they're great carts for the money. Your money would be better spent elsewhere. The Carbon is an entry level cart, but you'll be struggling to get the return on your $$$ by upgrading to a Bias.
Again, this is just opinion and I'd be keen to hear other users thoughts.,
My advice, for what little it's worth, is enjoy the table with the carbon cart as is and put your money toward something like the P3
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So, I just had a moment of random upgradeness and treated myself to the rega neo PSU for my P3 for no other reason that I thought I deserved it.
I was tossing up upgrading my 2M blue or getting the neo.
Plumped for the neo, mainly because my local store had a demo model for a good price
I am blown away by the difference it's made. I'm not smart enough to figure out the science behind how it does make it better, but there's a demonstrable improvement in sound quality,
Keen to know if there's any other owners of this unit and what their thoughts are
Cheers
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17 hours ago, dwbasement said:
Save the money and upgrade to P3.
If you still want to do something and can keep for future once you upgraded to the higher model.
Get a better cart. Not sure you can do MC or not otherwise 2M Bronze or Black although P1 probably won't be fully benefited from the cart but you'll at least improve the SQ more than most of the other tweaks.
What he said
I used to think that you could upgrade your way of out an entry level table, but lots of $$$$ down the proverbial toilet has proven otherwise.
I got my P3 recently and not only is it a stunning table, it's got a very clear upgrade path.
I'd (personally) steer clear of putting on more expensive carts on the P1, especially the regas. My experience with the Bias and Elys 2 carts hasn't been great.
Good luck
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Item: Rega Neo PSU
Price Range: 0-$300
Item Condition: New or Used
Extra Info:
Looking to buy a used Neo. CheersPlease don't forget to report your post as FOUND when possible. (You can now delete this text).
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On 06/03/2021 at 8:42 AM, shailesh said:
If funds allow look at the better Sumikos like the bps or blackbird.... have had positive experiences with sumiko, garrott and dyna on Rega... each was good in their own way...
I've had my eye on the Moonstone tbh. I like my 2M blue, it's great and I think that ortofon make great carts, but sometimes they feel a little omnipotent. maybe that's a mark of their quality or good marketing. Who knows.
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14 hours ago, markielinhart said:
2M carts are a breeze to fit. Why a spacer?
2m is 18mm high, where as rega's are 14mm. I know there's the entire VTA argument and honestly, I haven't been able to tell the difference
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So, as per other threads I've pulled the trigger on the RP3
Installed a 2M Blue and again, so far so good.
However, I installed a spacer and 2 of the screws aren't going in properly, They're taking, but they're not getting full purchase like the threading has almost gone.
Question is, can I simply get a longer length screw than the stock one (30mm...?)
I don't really want to take it back if I can help it
Cheers
AL
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So, I pulled the trigger and bought the RP3 and put my existing 2M Blue on it. It's good. Really good, and a definite step up from my Debut Carbon. I feel though that I'm at the lower end of the ladder and a better cartridge (obviously...) is going to start to get the best out of the table.
When I can afford, I'll look at either the Bronze of something like the Sumiko Moonstone
CheersAl
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6 hours ago, DT999 said:
The phono stage in your io is the same as the Rega Brio amp, it is very good and probably wouldn't be improved by a Fono. I have the Elex-R and also had a Fono and could not tell any difference between the integrated phono stage and the stand alone.
Interesting observation. Before I had the I/O I had the PM6006 and while that was, arguably, a better, more equipped amp, the I/O phono stage, in my mind, is way better than the PM6006
I think the general consensus seems to be that the IO is a fine amp with a fine phono stage (for this level) and the move to the Rega P3 will yield dividends
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Item Condition: ExcellentShipping Options: Pickup available and you can audition.,Shipping is available at agreed cost.Suburb or Town: MelbourneState: VICPayment Method: Paypal, Cash on DeliveryReason for selling: Upgrading TT
Further information:
Pro-Ject Carbon Debut, around 1 years old, with stock fitted Ortofon 2M Red cart
This was my first 'proper' turntable and I've loved it. Purchased brand new from major retailer in Melbourne Excellent player and in great condition. A few minor scuffs on the dust cover to be expected, but otherwise excellent.
interconnects included.
Selling as I'm upgrading to a new player.
Happy to audition in inner-north Melbourne and if you're interested in shipping, we can work that out.
Thanks
Al
Photos:PLEASE READ
- If you include any reference to pricing whatsoever in this section (excluding RRP), your ad will not be approved
- If you are advertising multiple items, you must post one bulk price only, or post seperate ads for each item
- If you don't include photographs of the actual item being sold, your ad will not be approved
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You understand that a reasonable donation for selling fees is expected upon successful sale of your item
- if you have previously sold items and not made a donation, your advertisement may not be approved.
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Rega Planar 3 - Cartridge suggestions?
in Turntables, Record Players & Vinyl
Posted
I had the 2M blue and it's a fine cart, but my speakers are naturally bright and the 2M Blue, being a bright cart, wasn't an ideal match.