Rega Planar 2 question

[Maldridge]

Hi there,
I have a Rega Planar 2, from the mid '90's, that I need to get a new stylus for.
I'm generally seeing carbon cartridges for sale, but I'm not sure this is what I need.
Is anyone able to advise on what I should be buying?

Here's a photo of the existing/ arm etc.

Thanks so much to anyone who's able to help!

 

[Al ears]

That's definitely a Rega cartridge but I don't believe that it has a replaceable stylus.
Better to purchase a whole new cartridge if it is that old anyway.
I would avoid the Rega Carbon but it all depends on your budget.

 

[Maldridge]

Hello.

Thanks so much for your quick reply.

Is the carbon cartridge for a Rega Planar 2 compatible with my old turntable? I wasn't sure, as it looks quite different.

So far I haven't come across an alternative....

 

[Al ears]

Hello.

Thanks so much for your quick reply.

Is the carbon cartridge for a Rega Planar 2 compatible with my old turntable? I wasn't sure, as it looks quite different.

So far I haven't come across an alternative....

Yes, it will fit your turntable
There are plenty of alternatives......., It doesn't have to be a Rega cartridge

 

[DCarmi]

It is a Rega Bias cartridge. No longer made and a single unit so you need to replace the whole thing.

I'm guessing you want to do this on a modest budget. I'd probably look at an Audio Technica AT-VM95E cartridge which is around £40. The stylus is replaceable and you could upgrade to a better one stylus, later. I'd avoid the cheaper VM95C which has a conical tip.

You should be able to fit this without arm adjustment. I used to use a similar cartridge and stylus in my elderly Planar 3.

 

[VES]

Hello.

Thanks so much for your quick reply.

Is the carbon cartridge for a Rega Planar 2 compatible with my old turntable? I wasn't sure, as it looks quite different.

So far I haven't come across an alternative....

just so you know, if you do decide on the Carbon cartridge, it is virtually the same as AT3600L and the AT3600L is a third of the price. they are both manufactured by Audio-Technica.

 

[camcroft]

Buy an Audio Technica VM95E cartridge and that should be fine and it will have upgrade stylus possibility throughout the whole VM95 range if required at a later stage.

 

[nopiano]

just so you know, if you do decide on the Carbon cartridge, it is virtually the same as AT3600L and the AT3600L is a third of the price. they are both manufactured by Audio-Technica.

Where do get that price differential from? I see the Carbon is about £33 and the AT3600L a few £s less.

 

[VES]

Where do get that price differential from? I see the Carbon is about £33 and the AT3600L a few £s less.

last time I checked the Carbon was 67$ and the AT3600L less than 20$ here in Bulgaria. but it is possible that I remember outdated prices or the difference is that significant in my location, only.

 

[nopiano]

last time I checked the Carbon was 67$ and the AT3600L less than 20$ here in Bulgaria. but it is possible that I remember outdated prices or the difference is that significant in my location, only.

Ok, I guess that’s possible. I did wonder where you were located. Thanks for clarifying!