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Rega P25...upgrade or replace

I've owned this rig for a while now, having upgraded from the P3. While it sounds very nice, it lacks the refined sound and resolution of...say a well recorded HDCD disc on my CD player. Table is stock, used with a Grado Ref. Platinum 1.5mV and Grado PH-1 (tried a ARC phono stage that was lifeless). I'm considering a step up to the Sonata cartridge, and tweaking the table/arm with one or more of the following: machined sub-platter, new counterweight, Cardas re-wire of arm, acrylic platter, Boston Audio platter mat.

Plan "B" would be picking up a nice pre-owned VPI Scout/JMW 9 setup...not sure on cartridge, but most likely the Sonata.

Any suggestions/advice from some of the analog gurus here?

System: BAT VK-300x w/ tube front end, Cardas Golden Cross cabling, CAL CL-15 CDP w/ JPS Digital AC power cord & VansEvers digital power conditioner, Tyler Acoustics Linbrook floorstanding monitors wired w/ Cardas.
hedgehog
hedgehog's avatar
hedgehog OP
144 posts
 
Thanks, for all of the valuable input guys.

Viridian, I have used the table/cartridge with phono stages from Plinius, Musical Fidelity, VTL, ARC and Classe'. Outside of the Grado, the VTL was the only one better. I have heard great things about the EARs, and I may try one someday.

Theo and MoFi...thanks. Maybe I will tweak around with the ol' P25 a bit. One nice thing is that it can be done a little at time, not requiring large lumps of cash at a time. Theo, who did your re-wire work for you? If you had to pick two upgrades/tweaks, which two would you perform first?

Thanks,
Chris
jopi88
27 posts
 
replace, go for the p9.
hedgehog's avatar
hedgehog OP
144 posts
 
Decided to go with a couple of small upgrades for the time being. Ordered the Boston Audio Mat 1, and the Kerry K2 Titanium H/W.
stevecham
3,298 posts
 
I graduated from a P3 to a P25 like you and after a year of that I heard a VPI Aries 2/10.5 in my system and the world started to move. I've been very happy with the Aries 2 for almost five years now. It is truly a state of the art table for the price point. If ever I trade up it will be another VPI.
soundwatts
186 posts
 
Replace. Never really liked the regas. Maybe with a nice used well tempered.
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