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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
theo's avatar
theo
2,331 posts
 
As a long time owner of a P25 I can echo MoFi's advice. I have done the Incognito(cardas)rewire. I gained some clarity and solved a grounding issue. Then the E-Z Riser VTA adjuster, I would look at the newer ones now, but that gave me that adjustment. I added the Michel Techno-weight and boom there was bass and the bass was good. I then added at MoFi's advice the Deep Groove sub-platter/bearing assy. and yes the bass was more defined. Than I added the acrylic platter and that seemed to bring the whole thing together. I started out with a Grado Reference, then a Benz- Glider and now have a Lyra Lidian B. I may be stepping up to a Argo or possibly the New Rega MC cart. or the possibility lingers for a new table. But my point is the P25 can really add years to it's life with these tweeks and upgrades.
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.
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