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Rega P25 w/orig Exact Cart - good? + mV question

Hi everyone, this is my first post and I'm getting the vinyl bug for some reason. So, I found a Rega P25 that has the original Rega Exact cartridge on it from 2001. The problem is that it's an estate situation and no one who is alive knows anything about the turntable, it's use, hours, etc. Obviously the remaining life on the cartridge would affect the value of the item.

How can I possibly tell if the cartridge still has a lot of life left on it or not? The turntable works, plays, and sounds great today and looks like it's been very well cared for.

And, what would you guys be willing to pay for a Rega P25 with an Exact cartridge on it, not knowing anything about the cartridge?

Also, I've been reading about different cartridges having different mV outputs, and so that raises another question. For now, this deck, if I buy it, would be going into a Yamaha RX-V3800 which has a 3.5mV input sensitivity spec and a 60mV maximum input voltage spec. Is this cartridge a good match for my receiver?

Thanks!
smhyde
goatwuss
875 posts
 
$250 for a P25 with an exact? That table + cart would be around $1800 new

That table + cart is worth about $8-900 I would say, if you can get it for $750 you got a steal
smhyde OP
12 posts
 
Thanks. I'm inclined to agree with Goatwuss here. I was implying the owners know nothing about the cartridge life, not the whole thing. They do know that it's an expensive turntable because it's found it's way to a hi-fi shop. They don't normally deal with turntables, so they're willing to deal a little here. If I had found the estate itself, I may have been able to get a whole slew of really nice stuff cheap.

Asking price was $950 originally and they have offered it to me for $800. I'd like to get it for $700 not knowing about the remaining life expectency of the cartridge. I'll let you know what happens!
vinyladdict
164 posts
 
$700 seems fair IF it's in pristine condition. They sell here for around that in 9/10 shape. I would pretend the cartridge isn't included, honestly - you have no idea if it's even viable - I would budget for a new one.

Truth be told, I would budget for a new cartridge even if the Exact were brand new... not a huge fan of Rega carts. I run one of their tables and love it - their carts, not so much.

Slap a Shure M97x with a Jico SAS on it and you'll have everything you need.
smhyde OP
12 posts
 
So, discussion about which cart is best aside, how can I know if the existing cart is viable once I have the unit? Seems to me you'd need a microscope and someone who knows what they're looking for.
smhyde OP
12 posts
 
I went back and took a closer look at the unit and I'm really not sure on the value of this package now. The guy who could make a decision wasn't there so it gave me a good opportunity to come back and chat with everyone on the board one more time. Here's the package.

- Rega P25 with EXACT cartridge (8/10 rating EXCEPT: original platter is missing...)
Instead, the unit comes with the following:
-Sheer Audio Acrylic Platter
-Funk Acroplat Platter

Also comes with:
-JA Mitchell aluminum/silver colored record clamp
-Tranquility Base 1 (can't find any info on this isolation base anywhere).

The missing Rega platter is about a $135 replacement part, so do the other platters offset that in your opinions?

Also, if I remove the platter and the belt and free-spin the subplatter, it stops rather quickly. I don't even think it makes two revolutions on its own. Is that normal? I was thinking it would have less resistance.

I'm still thinking $700 might be a fair offer for both parties, but I'm looking for some guidance here. -Thanks!
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