Question Rega Planar 1 plus not working as it should.

[Phil231259]

Hi everyone,

I've just purchased a 2nd hand Rega Planar 1 plus (Pre-amp built in) turntable and have wired it up to my Marantz PM7000N intergrated amp, which in turn connects to my old faithful Arcam Two speakers (Passive not powered). The sound coming out of them when I tried an LP for the first time was just simply dreadful and sounded to put it mildly like the stylus had 5 years worth of dust and grime still on it. It hasn't of course, but does anyone have any ideas of what could be causing this terrible distorted sound? As it stands my LPs simply aren't playable. I've checked the wiring, and all appears fine. I'm wondering whether it could be an issue with the cheap and cheerful Rega Carbon MM Cartridge, or perhaps the pre-amp in the turntable isn't compatible with the Marantz PM7000N amp. Any help, or ideas is greatly appreciated!!

Cheers
Phil

 

[camcroft]

Hi everyone,

I've just purchased a 2nd hand Rega Planar 1 plus (Pre-amp built in) turntable and have wired it up to my Marantz PM7000N intergrated amp, which in turn connects to my old faithful Arcam Two speakers (Passive not powered). The sound coming out of them when I tried an LP for the first time was just simply dreadful and sounded to put it mildly like the stylus had 5 years worth of dust and grime still on it. It hasn't of course, but does anyone have any ideas of what could be causing this terrible distorted sound? As it stands my LPs simply aren't playable. I've checked the wiring, and all appears fine. I'm wondering whether it could be an issue with the cheap and cheerful Rega Carbon MM Cartridge, or perhaps the pre-amp in the turntable isn't compatible with the Marantz PM7000N amp. Any help, or ideas is greatly appreciated!!

Cheers
Phil

Check what setting you have set the pre amp to it must be Line.
Output connections
Connect the output sockets of the built-in phono stage to a suitable ‘line level’ input on your amplifier using the appropriate phono leads.

 

[daytona600]

IMO 2nd hand turntable would always fit a new stylus before playing any records

 

[Integralista]

Hi, I think you have to try your TT with some other mm cartridge. Carbon cartridge is a basic Audio Technica product (made for Rega). What is good, it is cheap and possible to change stylus.

 

[daytona600]

If changing the cartridge check depth as rega are not industy standard , will affect VTA / Azimuth
reduced height ortofon/rega

2MR

Ortofon is a micro-mechanical powerhouse, which develops, manufactures and markets the world acclaimed Ortofon phono cartridges.

ortofon.com

 

[Al ears]

Not sure why you wanted a turntable with built in phono preamp when your amplifier already has one. Just something else to go wrong.....
However, if you are convinced the wiring and connections are correct, you need to be looking at replacing the cartridge as your next step.

 

[camcroft]

Phil231259 to reception​

 

[Al ears]

Phil231259 to reception​

It was only posted yesterday.....

 

[nopiano]

Welcome to the forum, Phil.

What did you do to set up the turntable, set the stylus pressure etc? Please revert with answers to the questions above.

The most likely:-

You’re doubling up on phono preamps
You’re using neither phono preamp
You haven’t correctly set up the arm and cartridge.

 

[camcroft]

It was only posted yesterday.....

Agree. But we have seen the joined today never to be seen again and posted elsewhere .

 

[John Duncan]

You have plugged it into a spare ‘aux’ input haven’t you? If you plug it into the phono input you’re ’phono amping’ it twice because of the built in one on the Rega. Easy mistake.

 

[Jasonovich]

You have plugged it into a spare ‘aux’ input haven’t you? If you plug it into the phono input you’re ’phono amping’ it twice because of the built in one on the Rega. Easy mistake.

I was just thinking that, I bet he's plugging it into the phono input twice?

 

[Al ears]

I was just thinking that, I bet he's plugging it into the phono input twice?

If he has the phono preamp on the turntable turned off then it is in the correct input.
But it does sound like it hasn't been switched off, always assuming that you can actually turn it off.....

 

[camcroft]

Goodnight Phil

 

[camcroft]

Hi everyone,

I've just purchased a 2nd hand Rega Planar 1 plus (Pre-amp built in) turntable and have wired it up to my Marantz PM7000N intergrated amp, which in turn connects to my old faithful Arcam Two speakers (Passive not powered). The sound coming out of them when I tried an LP for the first time was just simply dreadful and sounded to put it mildly like the stylus had 5 years worth of dust and grime still on it. It hasn't of course, but does anyone have any ideas of what could be causing this terrible distorted sound? As it stands my LPs simply aren't playable. I've checked the wiring, and all appears fine. I'm wondering whether it could be an issue with the cheap and cheerful Rega Carbon MM Cartridge, or perhaps the pre-amp in the turntable isn't compatible with the Marantz PM7000N amp. Any help, or ideas is greatly appreciated!!

Cheers
Phil

Have you got it working yet.

 

[Phil231259]

Have you got it working yet.

Hi Camcroft,
Not yet, but I'm away for a couple of weeks at the moment and back Thursday.
I did remove and reinsert the stylus which helped with the sound, but it still didn't entirely fix the sound quality.
Two members have mentioned that I may have connected to the phono sockets on my amp, and therefore doubled up on the preamps (There's no preamp on/ff switch on the RP1 turntable), so maybe I need to plug into the aux sockets on the amp. Probably need to change the cartridge and stylus for a better upgrade too.
What do you think?
Cheers

 

[twinkletoes]

Hi Camcroft,
Not yet, but I'm away for a couple of weeks at the moment and back Thursday.
I did remove and reinsert the stylus which helped with the sound, but it still didn't entirely fix the sound quality.
Two members have mentioned that I may have connected to the phono sockets on my amp, and therefore doubled up on the preamps (There's no preamp on/ff switch on the RP1 turntable), so maybe I need to plug into the aux sockets on the amp. Probably need to change the cartridge and stylus for a better upgrade too.
What do you think?
Cheers

Hi Phil

I would find the instructions online and double check all your connection are as they should be before spending money.

Run through the setup process following it to the letter.

Make sure everything is as clean as possible and if your problem persist give rega or a rega dealer a call and see if they can shine any light on it.

 

[camcroft]

Hi Camcroft,
Not yet, but I'm away for a couple of weeks at the moment and back Thursday.
I did remove and reinsert the stylus which helped with the sound, but it still didn't entirely fix the sound quality.
Two members have mentioned that I may have connected to the phono sockets on my amp, and therefore doubled up on the preamps (There's no preamp on/ff switch on the RP1 turntable), so maybe I need to plug into the aux sockets on the amp. Probably need to change the cartridge and stylus for a better upgrade too.
What do you think?
Cheers

Yes plug it into AUX on the amp which is a line in input and yes they are right if you plug the turntables Phono into the amp you will have both coming up against each other. The turntables built in phono will do the job and by using the Aux you can control the rest of the sound settings from the amplifier. Regarding cartridge it depends what type of budget you have I would definitely recommend the AT - VM95ML it is a super cartridge.

 

[Phil231259]

Yes plug it into AUX on the amp which is a line in input and yes they are right if you plug the turntables Phono into the amp you will have both coming up against each other. The turntables built in phono will do the job and by using the Aux you can control the rest of the sound settings from the amplifier. Regarding cartridge it depends what type of budget you have I would definitely recommend the AT - VM95ML it is a super cartridge.

Thanks for the advice. IU'll give it a go when I get home and let you know the outcome.
Cheers for now.
Phil

 

[Phil231259]

Hi Phil

I would find the instructions online and double check all your connection are as they should be before spending money.

Run through the setup process following it to the letter.

Make sure everything is as clean as possible and if your problem persist give rega or a rega dealer a call and see if they can shine any light on it.

Hi Camcroft,

It appears that you and several others were correct, and the problem lay with me plugging the TT into the phono sockets on the amp and therefore doubling up the preamp, rather than just plugging into the the Aux sockets. Once I'd swapped the cables over to Aux it sounded beautiful, so happy days now!!

Thanks for your help and support. Greatly appreciated!!

 

[Al ears]

Hi Camcroft,

It appears that you and several others were correct, and the problem lay with me plugging the TT into the phono sockets on the amp and therefore doubling up the preamp, rather than just plugging into the the Aux sockets. Once I'd swapped the cables over to Aux it sounded beautiful, so happy days now!!

Thanks for your help and support. Greatly appreciated!!

Glad that is sorted for you.
It's a common mistake these days when turntables come with inbuilt preamps.