I'm glad it's working out. Perhaps there is more than one way to get a Rega to sound good?
I missed this thread and would have offered the Rega SOP. I'm actually surprised none of this was suggested. Personally, I would have done *none* of those tweaks without having done SOP for Rega tables. I would have:
1. Wall Mount (one must need this table "in air" instead of mass loading on a rack, so to speak. even if your rack is stable, the mass loading should be eliminated). But, if you want a much thicker, less PRat-like, less energetic sound...then get a new table (and keep the maple platforms you bought, they will come in handy)
2. Heed PSU or some other frequency control/stabilization device.
3. Neuance shelf on wall mount (or use Rega's shelf, Target, or make your own) or mount table on Ikea LACK tabletop.
4. Incognito Arm Rewire
5. Try a different cartridge/phono stage. If you want more resolution, ditch the Grado. If you like the Grado sound, great! Music isn't always about resolution.
6. That said, for more resolution, clean the stylus after each lp. I use the magic eraser and the stylus is still totally clean. The buildup on the stylus is cumulative and thus mandates consistent, repetitive cleaning. Johnathan Carr of Lyra once said that with each play, a thin film of vinyl is essentially welded to the cartridge (likely at microscopic levels).
Not affiliated, etc...
I would have done the deep groove subplatter but at it's cost, I would have done the more fundamental changes first. I switched tables before getting to this upgrade.
I would consider acrylic platters and counterweight "upgrades" as "sound changers" only. If you like the sound change, then consider it an upgrade. You made the assumption that the ARC phono stage was lifeless but really, any Rega table not setup on on light and airy platforms will sound less energetic. Perhaps the cartridge/phono match had something to do with this also.
A Dynavector properly matched to a phono stage will go a long way to an engaging sound on a Rega table. You might find the 20XH to your taste (dynamic, darker, yet likely more resolving than the Grado).
I missed this thread and would have offered the Rega SOP. I'm actually surprised none of this was suggested. Personally, I would have done *none* of those tweaks without having done SOP for Rega tables. I would have:
1. Wall Mount (one must need this table "in air" instead of mass loading on a rack, so to speak. even if your rack is stable, the mass loading should be eliminated). But, if you want a much thicker, less PRat-like, less energetic sound...then get a new table (and keep the maple platforms you bought, they will come in handy)
2. Heed PSU or some other frequency control/stabilization device.
3. Neuance shelf on wall mount (or use Rega's shelf, Target, or make your own) or mount table on Ikea LACK tabletop.
4. Incognito Arm Rewire
5. Try a different cartridge/phono stage. If you want more resolution, ditch the Grado. If you like the Grado sound, great! Music isn't always about resolution.
6. That said, for more resolution, clean the stylus after each lp. I use the magic eraser and the stylus is still totally clean. The buildup on the stylus is cumulative and thus mandates consistent, repetitive cleaning. Johnathan Carr of Lyra once said that with each play, a thin film of vinyl is essentially welded to the cartridge (likely at microscopic levels).
Not affiliated, etc...
I would have done the deep groove subplatter but at it's cost, I would have done the more fundamental changes first. I switched tables before getting to this upgrade.
I would consider acrylic platters and counterweight "upgrades" as "sound changers" only. If you like the sound change, then consider it an upgrade. You made the assumption that the ARC phono stage was lifeless but really, any Rega table not setup on on light and airy platforms will sound less energetic. Perhaps the cartridge/phono match had something to do with this also.
A Dynavector properly matched to a phono stage will go a long way to an engaging sound on a Rega table. You might find the 20XH to your taste (dynamic, darker, yet likely more resolving than the Grado).