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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
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.
hedgehog's avatar
hedgehog OP
144 posts
 
I've decided to tweak, at least for the time being. My wife threw the shipping box to the P25 in the trash, is one reason.

I can say that the F2 titanium heavyweight was a nice addition...more detail, without harshness, and a tad more air.

The Boston Audio Mat 1 added a bit more air, blacker background, and a larger soundstage. The bottom end is ever so slightly less plentiful, but is tuneful and less wooly.
hedgehog's avatar
hedgehog OP
144 posts
 
Thanks to Piedpiper/Tim, the P25 is sounding absolutely amazing. At his suggestion, I purchased a maple platform; 3" from Timbernation...Solidwood here at the 'Gon. Between my maple rack and the platform, Tim suggested sorbothan pucks (2x2x0.5). Tim suggested replacing the rubber footers that come on the P-25 with Mapleshade Heavyweights, and he even cut the threaded portion down a bit for me.

The little bit of bottom end lost via the Boston Audio platter mat is back, and then some. It is also even more organic and natural sounding. The upper frequencies have more sparkle and sound more natural.

I'll try to post pictures of the system some time next week. It looks fantastic as well.
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