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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
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.
piedpiper
753 posts
 
Good choice of upgrades. I have compared the Grado phono stage favorably as well. I would go with the Sonata if you like the Grado warmth or a Clearaudio Aurum Beta S if you want more detail. Also, if you want to breathe serious life into your system and you don't mind it being ALOT more revealing you should try Mapleshade Clearview Excaliber Plus Interconnects and Double Helix speaker cables or for more refinement step up to their Mapleshade Insound Planar line.
hedgehog's avatar
hedgehog OP
144 posts
 
I'll most likely go with the Sonata. I do like the Grado sound, plus I can offset the cost a bit with my Platinum trade in. Still waiting on my Mat 1 and K2, can't wait to work them into mix...one at a time, of course.
shade_of_pale's avatar
shade_of_pale
22 posts
 
Replace, I think is a better rig the VPI, and maybe the excitment of a new table makes you give more attention to certain details that REga can' give.
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