Rega P25 Setup Question

The whole idea with any tonearm and it's counterweight is to keep the weight as close to the pivot point as possible. With the way Rega uses their VTF dial, it adds a spring to the mix and makes you use the weight further back on the shaft, away from the pivot point. There are many people who actually take the spring out as a mod to the arm. They say it improves the sound. I have never done this, but trust the ears of several who have.

The way you initally had it would have worked, but it's kinda hard to tell how much VTF you had because you ran out of room on the VTF dial.

The aftermarket weights, like your Expressimo, not only add more mass, but drop the center of gravity below the shaft even more than the stock units. That's why it's shaped like a tear drop. These weights REALLY do work and sound better. I sure would try to find a headshell weight for your cartridge, (or change carts) to utilize the Expressimo.

You are correct in that the dial on the side of the arm is for VTF and slider is for anti skate.

great. that clears that up. Thanks so much for your time.

You're welcome. My pleasure!

Here's a link for a 3 gram headshell weight:

http://www.lpgear.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=LG&Product_Code=STDHDSHWT&Category_Code=HEADSHELLS

I advise not using the VTF on the arm. Better to disengage the spring by having the setting close to 0 and setting VTF with an external gauge. I found, over the years, this reduces any ringing caused by the spring. I had actually forgotten the 300 came with VTF because I never used it.

But to reiterate an earlier point, please use a VTF gauge when setting the Vertical Tracking Force appropriate for your cartridge. DO NOT I REPEAT DO NOT RELY on the numbers on the REGA counterweight dial!

A good inexpensive gauge is made by Shure and can be purchased online.