New Rega Planer 8 (P8) Turntable - Apheta 2 Cartridge Combo - Thoughts

I have had my P8/Apheta2 for two weeks and so far I am impressed.  The ergonomics are fantastic.  The sound is fresh, detailed and believable.  Still early on for sure though.  Tracking at 1.77 which I think is a little better than 2.1 (adjusted down once I broke out my digital tracking force gauge - 2.1 was based on arm tracking setting).  In function it is dead quiet.  No motor noise.  There is not a grounding wire and based on my experience thus far is does just fine without one.

I have it on an HRS platform which I think is helpful and running it through Ray Samuel's F117 Nighthawk phonostage which is also new to me and for its diminutive size really has some nice presence (comparison with Music Fidelity X-LP: it smokes the MF on detail, background blackness, and soundstage and is just plain better, which is not at all surprising.)  At its price, I think the F117 represent great value.

I love the simplicity of the Rega and the attention to design and manufacturing detail.  Even the tonearm holder/retainer has a set halfway preset which allows a quick half flip to secure/unsecure the arm while changing sides.  Sounds simple enough but I have not seen that before and think it is fairly brilliant.  Other Regas may have the same thing - never checked.

My previous TT was a Michell Gyrodec SE which was awesome in its own right but too busy in setup and use for me compared to the Rega.  I think the music is more solid through the Rega (different systems though).  For function and appearance I give it to the P8 over the Gyrodec.

I tried an EAT C-sharp for a bit and found it to have some motor and bearing noise that I could not tame (not feedback) and therefore returned it.  I also considered CA Ovation, Luxman PD-171A and Technics 1200G.  Very happy with my choice.  For me the P8 represented a perfect price point to sound quality ratio.  My next table will be in a much higher price/performance bracket and for that I will happily wait with my P8.

I'm not sure if the P8 is for you - only you can decide that.  But I bet there will be scores of people that land on the P8 and stay for a long while.

Fantastic information! Thank you !!! 

Any advise to a vinyl newbie with same set up? 

My Sutherland Duo phono stage may get FedEx deliverd today which is fantastic. I thought it was coming Monday.

My tracking force gauge has not landed yet? 

I also dont have a record cleaner yet? 

I have a half dozen brand new unopened MOFI records though. 

Do you think i should set tracking force via Rega manual without the digital meter or should I just wait until I get my gauge?

Also, do you think it is ok for me to try out my brand new records or should I wait until I buy a record washer and wash my new records first so I don’t hurt my stylus? 

People seem pretty serious about only using freshly cleaned records and I want to do this the right way but I will be excited tonight to spin some records if you guys think it’s ok to go forward?

 Thanks so much! 

Fsmithjack-
Your audio journey is understood.

Since I'm off the audio gear wagon, it sounds exhausting to me.

"Also, do you think it is ok for me to try out my brand new records or should I wait until I buy a record washer and wash my new records first so I don’t hurt my stylus?"

Arguably, your concern is just audio neurosis. 

Perhaps on some level it's picking up stuff being brand new, but a dip or two of magic eraser after play would remove it.

Someone will chime in with doomsday info if you don't preclean your new records. To each his own.

It’s definitely OK to play a new record before a cleaning, now and then (dry-brush off all the loose debris). Especially with a good stylus cleaning regimen based on the Magic Eraser and a dry brush. I’m of the camp that the M.E. needs to actually "scrub" something to be effective. I did the simple dip/lift for a while without satisfaction. Now I dip in a corner and *carefully* rotate around the stylus for a proper clean. But it can take some time to work up confidence for this (safe as long as you do no sudden movements; only use one-finger at a time for rotating). I even do this on my Koetsu Coralstone; the diamond still gleams like it’s never been played.

Got to say I’m not a huge fan of the MOFI pressings. I’ve gotten a real expensive dud or two (e.g. Megadeth "Countdown to Extinction" MOFI 2006) that turned me off. I think it’s a good idea and diversify; pick up some good original/vintage pressings too - often that’s where the vinyl magic can be found. Even the cheap stuff can be amazing! E.g. Al Stewart’s "Year of the Cat" can be found in $1-$4 bins and it’s excellent (I don’t even have the MOFI).

Excited for you to be getting your P8 setup together! Crossing fingers that it meets or exceeds your expectations.

It is a good idea to clean new records before using them as there is sometimes a small amount of residue from manufacturing process depending on manufacturer.  That said, I am not very fanatical about cleaning records and sometimes play new records without cleaning.  The may be in part due to my use of the Spin Clean, which is cheap and works but is some work to use and not very time efficient IMO.  My next cleaner will be similar in that regard but better in result I think: George Merrill's Gem Dandy hydraulic cleaner.  hifigem.com   Down the line I would like to get a Klaudio ultrasonic cleaner.  BTW, I always clean used records before playing and store in new sleeves and use an outer cover as well.  Make sure you store your records nice and vertical as well.

Go ahead and use the table to set tracking force and play away.  Recheck and adjust once you get your digital gauge.  I use a rega digital stylus force gauge that is terrific and worth the $.  I used to use an Audioquest carbon fiber record brush (the ubiquitous one) and I think it leaves small scratches and have read similar findings from others.  I switched to an AcousTech The Big Record Brush with grounding wire for static drain and its fibers are much softer and it excels at what it does without scratches as far as I can tell.

In the end, use what you have and enjoy.  Don't overthink it, but do remember that appropriate record care will lengthen the life of the record and stylus and improve the sound.  I would however avoid developing any habits that are so cumbersome that they eat into your listing time or experience or drive you away from enjoying the music.