Old B&O vs. new Rega P1

Here's another thought:

Get a Technics SL1210 Mk2 from Musicians Friend for a mere $399.99. It has a lot going for it--build quality, speed accuracy, low noise, close tolerances, durability, and slick controls and ergonomics. You will get an increase in transients, bass, and slam. You will no longer be limited in available range of cartridges. In fact, with the TT's included second counterweight and headshell weight, you have a decent range of cartridge weights and compliances that will work.

A removable headshell is nice for learning to mount cartridges and keeping it from being too frustrating. Upgrade to a nice $40 Sumiko headshell.

If you decide to upgrade, you can get an outboard power supply, threaded clamp and spindle, fancy footers, strobe light disable, tonearm rewire, and tonearm fluid damper from KABUSA.com. The fluid damper further improves the range of compatible tonearm/cartridge combinations.

If that's not enough, you can get a Rega-adaptor armboard and tonearm from Origin Live. Origin offers compatible tonearms from $240 to $everal thousand. In other words, you can buy the Technics and modify it to have an RB250 arm for about the same price as a Rega P3.

If you leave it stock and decide to sell, you can probably get within $100 of what you paid for it.

I'm a Rega dealer and I don't consider the P1 to be anything other than a cheap way to get in the door. It may compete well with other entry level (meaning nothing cheaper out there worth considering) tables but you need to stretch a bit higher to get something special. As ususal, you get what you pay for. Except for the cartridge issue, I wouldn't bother "upgrading" to a P1; a P2 perhaps, or better.

To what Piedpiper said I went from that NAD (Rega 1 to P3 before I went to $5500 VPI and thier is big jump from P1 to P3.But under $1K I'd look a Music Hall Line as well.P25 is good for some but I think used Scout will get you there for $1K throw nice Grado ( I worked at shop with Grado being my fave of limited line) say a $500 Sonata new and you might not feel and need for a better table i.e. that'
s sweet spot of most bang for least buck.Plus if you do want to mod i you can get the Scoutmaster double plinth or a havy platter both of which allow ring clamp to be used (stock Scout does not) also arm upgrade.Linn pioneer4d this lose your mind gradually approach and it can be loads of fun.Plus VPI maybe best for those who want more than one cart since you can add an extra arm tube (like some where you can add extra head shell but this takes more time to individually hook up leads).
Chazz
again)

For me B&O is about three things; looks, sound and convenience in that order. In my studio I have a 9000 and a 8002 tt with mmc 1,2, and a 4 for the not so good lps. If you are interested in casual listening B&O offers great products. At current used prices you are getting innovative technology at a very cheap price. As to comparison I had a Rega P-25 with a modified RB 250 arm which to my mind had a much fuller sound. Choices choices good luck

I owned a B&O 3000 with the tangential arm for more than 20 years. With the MMC3 it put out pretty good sound and I maintain they remain the most stylishly engineered components ever. But then, I like minimalist Swedish furniture, too, so that's just personal taste.

But, after my second $400 repair on the tracking arm and staring at several hundred dollars for new cartridges, I bought a Rega P1 more than a year ago and have been very, very happy.

I sprung for the glass platter upgrade and the sound out of the Rega is easily equal and I think better. Great clarity and range. Now, I am not somebody in a position to plunk down $5K for a turntable. Someday I may spring for a Rega P3 or something similar but for the casual audiophile, this is a great bang for the buck table. About $400, simple to set up and fine sound.

Also, the upside is that I sold a couple of used B&O cartridges on ebay and they just about paid for the new Rega.