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Rega Exact on a Rega P5 - opinions?

I'd like to hear from anyone who has had experience with the Rega Exact cartridge and how it compares to other similar MM cartridges like the Goldring 1042. The Exact was $350 - so that's the price range I'm working in.

Since the RB-700 on the P5 uses the newer arm mounting system, I'd prefer not to use anything that requires VTA adjustment unless it's a cartridge that's going to yield me much greater results than the Exact does at a similar price point.

Thanks in advance for any input - there's an astonishingly sparse amount of information here, or anywhere else for that matter, on the Exact cartridge. I did find one review from 2003 on the Stereo Times site, but that's it.

FYI - the P5 is feeding mostly classic rock lp's into a Musical Fidelity A300 integrated via the A300's built in phono section and on to Von Schweikert VR-1 monitors.
slate1
seandtaylor99
1,262 posts
 
You can get a Goldring 1042 for a lot less than $350 if you order direct from the UK http://www.mantra-audio.co.uk/ and use the Rega as a trade-in.

I can't answer your question directly, but my past experience has been that rega's own cartridges are not too bad, but certainly not up with the best at their price point.

It wouldn't surprise me at all if the 1042 was better than the exact, and direct from the UK costs about 1/2 the price.
slate1 OP
82 posts
 
Thanks - yes, I've been able to find the 1042 for around $300 or so and the Exact around $350. I guess I'm just curious as to how it would compare to the Exact and if it would really be an "upgrade".

I'd also be faced with purchasing spacers for the RB-700 in order to get the VTA correct with the 1042. I've not seen any VTA adjustment options for the RB-700 short of the Rega OEM spacers due to the new mounting system.
seandtaylor99
1,262 posts
 
With musical fidelity and VR1 monitors I'm guessing that your system perhaps errs towards the brighter side of neutral ? Excuse me if I'm wrong.

One thing I have liked about the rega cartridges is that they certainly are anything but bright and they have good bass. I have also heard comments from some quarters that the goldrings might be a little on the bright side.

Putting that and the VTA issue together might make me lean towards the rega exact. Check on ebay first as there's a seller in hong kong who regularly hawks new rega carts. and he has excellent feedback.

I have a planar 3 and currently an old Linn K9. I had to raise the arm 2-3 mm to use the K9 and I did it by buying 1" internal diameter machine washers from my local hardware store. It cost < $1 and seems to work perfectly OK. I'm not sure it would work for you, and the P5 is certainly well above P3 level, but I just thought I'd throw out the suggestion. I balked at spending $25 for a glorified washer from a rega dealer. Another option for a spacer is to get a piece of acrylic made with a hole cut ... very cheap from a local hardware or plastics store.
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