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

$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.

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.

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!

First, if you want to look at friction, remove the belt and replace the platter, so that you are spinning the actual moving system, the platter on top of the sub platter; the same system that the belt drives. I think that it will spin much longer and you are fine.

I don't care for plastic platters much, but monetarily the platter and mat easily offset the cost of the original platter. Overall, $700.00 is a great deal and I would pay $800.00. There is a hidden benefit here for you as well, shipping turntables can be very problematic and purchasing one locally is really a benefit. Buy it, don't mess with it and just enjoy the music. I think that lots of Audiogoners get focused on the right price at the expense of buying the right piece of gear.

BTW, I bought the P25 that's on Audiogon right now and am going up to Olympia WA to pick it up this weekend. I'm jazzed!

The aftermarket platter is an upgrade. So think of it as the owner did you a favor of adding the platter. Forget buying an original.
The subplatter is very light, and Rega comes with a thick bearing oil. So it should slow down pretty fast.

I own a Rega P5.