Question Amp for Rega Planar 3

[Kasperv]

Hi all, I just received my Rega Planar 3 and i'm extremely happy with it. But as the Planar has a fixed RCA cable attached, I somehow need to find a solution to connect it to my Yamaha RX-A880 receiver (which drives my Bowers & Wilkins 683 s2's). Now I started my search here on What Hi-Fi? and came out on the Rega Fono MM MK5, which would make sense to buy as it's also from Rega and would work flawless. But I looked a bit further and came on the Pro-Ject Phono-Box E BT 5. A big advance on this one is the BT output, so I can place my Planar wherever I want without the need of a physical cable running trough the room. But as I am proud of the devices I have (and of course saved my money for), I don't want to add cheap devices which doesn't come good to the potential of my system.

Does anybody have experience with the Pro-Ject Phono-Box E or have any advice on this situation?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Gray]

Is the Yamaha's phono input no good?

 

[Friesiansam]

Your receiver has RCA phono inputs on the back. I would try that first before looking for a seperate phono amp.

 

[Gray]

Your receiver has RCA phono inputs on the back. I would try that first before looking for a seperate phono amp.

I assume he's tried that, as he said he's happy with the Rega 🤔

 

[Kasperv]

Sorry, indeed quite important to note but the (fixed) RCA of the Planar is to short to connect to the receiver without extending it. But it seems that extending the RCA will negatively affect the sound quality.

 

[daytona600]

Amp for Rega Planar 3
RP3 + B&W both very good , Great amp would be ideal
MaiA S3 – Pro-Ject Audio Systems (project-audio.com)
Untitled-1 (henleyaudio.co.uk)

 

[plastic penguin]

Sorry, indeed quite important to note but the (fixed) RCA of the Planar is to short to connect to the receiver without extending it. But it seems that extending the RCA will negatively affect the sound quality.

Can you not move the receiver slightly nearer the turntable?

 

[Al ears]

Sorry, indeed quite important to note but the (fixed) RCA of the Planar is to short to connect to the receiver without extending it. But it seems that extending the RCA will negatively affect the sound quality.

Lengthening the phono cable a bit shouldn't effect sound quality.
using Bluetooth will.....
However, runs over 2 metres are best avoided.
Can you not wall mount your turntable near the receiver?

 

[Al ears]

Amp for Rega Planar 3
RP3 + B&W both very good , Great amp would be ideal
MaiA S3 – Pro-Ject Audio Systems (project-audio.com)
Untitled-1 (henleyaudio.co.uk)

I believe he is enquiring about a phono preamp rather than an amp....

 

[nopiano]

Sorry, indeed quite important to note but the (fixed) RCA of the Planar is to short to connect to the receiver without extending it. But it seems that extending the RCA will negatively affect the sound quality.

How much extra length do you need?

 

[Kasperv]

Indeed i was talking about a phono preamp, but only if this is the best way to get turntable connected to my receiver.

The turntabel sits on top of a wall mounted closet in which the receiver is placed. I don't want to drill a hole in the top of my closet, so the cable needs to go around the closed to a hole in the bottom. I think it will fit with an extra meter, 1.5 meter max. When extending the cable, won't I get problems with the grounding wire and sure it won't effect the sound quality?

 

[Al ears]

Indeed i was talking about a phono preamp, but only if this is the best way to get turntable connected to my receiver.

The turntabel sits on top of a wall mounted closet in which the receiver is placed. I don't want to drill a hole in the top of my closet, so the cable needs to go around the closed to a hole in the bottom. I think it will fit with an extra meter, 1.5 meter max. When extending the cable, won't I get problems with the grounding wire and sure it won't effect the sound quality?

As far as I know the Rega does not have a separate grounding wire so getting a phono extention cable should not alter anything

 

[Gray]

When extending the cable, won't I get problems with the grounding wire

Has the Rega got a separate grounding wire?
If it has - no problem extending it.
Best thing you can do is buy a male to female RCA extension (with gold plated connectors),
then compare your sound with / without it.....before deciding on anything permanent.

 

[Kasperv]

I think I read that somewhere that the grounding wire is running through the negative RCA wire.
But indeed I can try the effect of an extension cable first. Thanks!

 

[Friesiansam]

Indeed i was talking about a phono preamp, but only if this is the best way to get turntable connected to my receiver.

I think it is likely that you would not have to spend a great deal of money, on a standalone phono amp, to better the performance of a an amp's built in phono input. However, I'm not qualified to make a recommendation.