New Rega P5 or 3 year old Rega P7

[admin_exported]

After some consideration and an extended audition, I had just about settled on a Rega P5 turntable (with Ortofon Rondo Red cartridge) when I was offered a second hand, three year old, Rega P7 from the same dealer for effectively the same price as the new P5.

Although the P7 is clearly a notch up on the P5, I am worried about buying a turntable second hand- even with the dealer’s assurance that it is in excellent condition.

Should I take a chance (my current inclination) on the P7, or play it safe and buy the P5. And if I buy the P7, what should I look for when checking it out. It sounds terrific in the dealers demo room.

 

[chebby]

Given that your dealer can offer you a brand new P5 then I assume he is an offical Rega dealer so his word on the P7 is probably reliable.

Ask if he will back it up with a limited guarantee (3 or 6 months).

However, I would be tempted to go for the P5 (again if your guy is a genuine Rega dealer you will get a 3 year guarantee on the P5).

I also think the P7 is fugly.

But I am that shallow.

 

[respe]

If you are still thinking about this go with the 7. The basic drive train and subplatter system is just plain better than the 5. Take the platter of the both and have a look. A 3 year old 7 would have to have been running all day everyday for it to have suffered any from overuse. Although the 5 and 7 have the same arm, the drive system just lets the deck give so much more.