Rega -Deep Groove Replacement Subplatter

There's a couple of reviews on audioasylum.

I started a similar thread on another audio board with regard to my P3 and the concensus was that the P3 is engineered to a price point, and the table is difficult to substantially improve without investing money sufficient to have just bought a new table.

My main problem with the P3 is speed stability. Apparently the best way to improve that is to have a new pulley manufactured that can accomodate two belts and forego 45rpm playback. Such a pulley is not commercially available so you'll need a friend in the machining business.

The arm is a different matter.

I think that there is a design fault with the Rega with that issue of speed stabilty.Rega is well aware of the problem and there is a fix they recommend for it.You must first flush and totally clean the bearing well using white spirits and then rinse with distilled water and allow to dry.Then you replace your cleaned steel bearing of course, and then add 2 and 2 drops only of 80w/90 Mobil Gear Oil of the type Rega recommends.This will make a Rega Planar run on speed according to Rega.The problem is many Rega tables don't run on speed,thats because 2 drops of gear oil does not last long at all.Probably due to evaporation if anything among other things.You would probably have to check the oil at every play in a reasonably warm climate(not England!)to run at speed.So that is the fault.Rega obviously did not forsee this.

I have had the new bearing and subplatter for 2 months. The noise floor has dropped. The bass has tightened. In my opinion, it was worth the money.

Thanks Folks, I guess I better place an order, I looked on the web for sellers but it appears music direct is the only distributor unless some knows of another. Always looking for a bargain.

Hi Stefan,
I wasn't referring to speed problems in terms of absolute speed, but rather wow. I think the Regas have a wow problem and the only way to solve it may be to go to a more expensive deck with either a better motor controller, or higher mass platter, or both.
I'm due for an oil change, so I'll try the mobil oil. Is it the synthetic or normal oil they recommend ?
Sean

This is the oil that Rega recommends: Comma Hypoid EP80, Castrol EPX80w/90 or Shell Spirax EP90,Do not use more than two drops.To be fair Rega also state that other types of oil than Hypoid gear oil are affected by temperature changes and insist on the recommended oil.In my experience gear oil evaporates fairly quickly,but I am in a much warmer climate than England.The cleaning spirit is specified as a solvent cleaner containing 1.1.1. trichloroethane which is available from R.S Components Ltd.The cleaning is done with bearing/spindle part completely removed from the table and must be properly tightened back in.This is a very elaborate process to have to go through every time your turntable goes off speed.I have found that the tape trick works well for me and I can oil sufficiently without having to worry about it.