Cartridge for Rega Planar 3

[Fenton Beasley]

A while back I asked for some advice about whether an Ortofon 2M Blue would be a better match for my Planar 3 (with upgraded motor) than my Elys 2 Cartridge. Chebby very helpfully pointed out that it was almost certainly an upgrade from the Elys 2.

Is there a better match than the Ortofon 2M Blue? Would the Bronze be too much for my lowly Planar 3? Has anyone heard the Elys 2, Ortofon 2M Blue and Bronze? Is there another cartridge I'm overlooking all together?

Thanks.

 

[Anonymous]

If you want a rough idea of what a Ortofon Blue sounds like look up a youtube user called MarkPMus, he's got a Rega P5 and some of his older posts were when he was using a ortofon blue (i think). He uses a goldring 1042 now so you might have to go back a bit to find one with the blue on it. (I don't like it much myself, sounds a bit brash to me)

Anyway hope it helps a bit

 

[chebby]

The Goldring 1042 is a good match for the RB300 arm (I know because I used a G1042 with a Rega Planar 3 for many years).

However it is a dark even 'operatic' performer, especially in the bass regions where it presents the sort of deep cavernous bass that MM cartridges are not normally noted for.

The 2M Blue is a faster, lighter, and more musical cartridge that suited me better, despite presenting a smaller scale performance than the Goldring.

I certainly never found the 2M Blue 'brash' but that may have been due to setup (I explored two different cartridge geometries - Baerwald & Stephenson - for days at a time before being happy I was getting the best from it) or it may be down to the match with it's phono stage. (My phono stage as designed to operate best with higher output MM cartridges like the Rega range at 7.2 mV. I think this gave more 'headroom' for the 2M Blue at 5.5mV.)

The 2M Blue/P2 combination was a 'natural' when it came to being used though my Naim gear and sounds excellent through it's new owner's Nait XS/Rega R3 set-up.

If you are seriously considering a cartridge for 2M Bronze money then you must consider Rega's own £200 Exact MM cartridge.

It boogies like an absolute demon and would have been my next cartridge (on a P3-24) if I had kept vinyl instead of selling it all.

 

[Fenton Beasley]

Rega Exact? I never thought of that. It's a bit pricey for Planar 3 but I bet it's a lot better than the Elys 2.

Thanks Chebby and you too Cookiemonster

 

[crusaderlord]

Chebby

do you miss your ortofon blue rega at all ?

it was a surprise for me when you decided to sell up as your forum posts were one of the main reasons i bought a Rega Planar 2 to try vinyl again. dont worry it was a very worthwhile deal at £90 in great condition.

i am still toying with whether to upgrade the cartridge but have to say i havent been out buying much vinyl to be honest as my cd player is a tad too good for the rega in reality.

 

[chebby]

crusaderlord:Chebby

do you miss your ortofon blue rega at all ?

it was a surprise for me when you decided to sell up....

Got rid of vinyl for convenience and for space. (Not for sound-quality reasons.)

 

[Niglets]

On Rega 5 and 7 here's my own experience

Ortofon 2M's Blue or Black- very nice stage and detail, good transients, uncoloured with no added warmth, very clear and precise. it is possibly a bit dry for most records on a Rega table. Yet it has some qualities I miss when I take it out. What few I've tried with Ortofon I found they have good stage and detail but also a slight lean quality to tonality.

Rega Exact- The sound stage shrinks relative to the Ortofon. A little warmer then 2M's but it could hardly be called a warm sounding cartridge in the same way as Grados or Goldrings. Clean transients, Good dynamics and grip. A solid choice on a Rega table. If soundstage is high on your list go with the others. Obviously easy to mount, and if using Rega go with the 3 bolts.

Roksan Corus Black- A good combination of qualities all around- staging, detail and more full bodied then exact or 2M. Held back only by some grain/harshness at treble range. Bass is full but does not have grip of Rega, Beautiful midrange.