Rega Planar 2

[Dave B]

Currently considering this turntable as an upgrade. It comes with a standard Rega Carbon cartridge. Does this cartridge do the TT justice or would it be advisable to go for something else and if so what would the best options be? Thank you.

 

[Al ears]

Currently considering this turntable as an upgrade. It comes with a standard Rega Carbon cartridge. Does this cartridge do the TT justice or would it be advisable to go for something else and if so what would the best options be? Thank you.

You aren't going to like what I say.....
The turntable is fitted with a bottom of the range cartridge, as are many others, simply so they can sell it as a complete package.
The cartridge is only as good as a £33 cartridge can be.
Does it do the TT justice? Not really.
Sure it makes it functional but the tonearm can take a much better cartridge.
What sort of budget did you have in mind?
Note also that without fitting shims to raise the tonearm height you are going to be slightly restricted on cartridges that will align simply.

Best get a dealer do this when you purchase if you are unfamiliar with the procedure required to set up a new cartridge

 

[Dave B]

You aren't going to like what I say.....
The turntable is fitted with a bottom of the range cartridge, as are many others, simply so they can sell it as a complete package.
The cartridge is only as good as a £33 cartridge can be.
Does it do the TT justice? Not really.
Sure it makes it functional but the tonearm can take a much better cartridge.
What sort of budget did you have in mind?
Note also that without fitting shims to raise the tonearm height you are going to be slightly restricted on cartridges that will align simply.

Best get a dealer do this when you purchase if you are unfamiliar with the procedure required to set up a new cartridge

Thank you, this is exactly the kind of feedback I was looking for. Pretty much what I expected to hear to be honest. I reckon a £475 TT would justify 100 to 150 on a cartridge with stylus. Would you agree? Definitely would get a dealer to supply and fit when I purchase. Thanks again.

 

[Al ears]

Thank you, this is exactly the kind of feedback I was looking for. Pretty much what I expected to hear to be honest. I reckon a £475 TT would justify 100 to 150 on a cartridge with stylus. Would you agree? Definitely would get a dealer to supply and fit when I purchase. Thanks again.

Yes, it will certainly do justice to a cartridge in that price range and more.
If buying from a dealer try to get them to sell you the turntable without the cartridge in the first place, you might get it cheaper

 

[gisgillen]

Hi! I bought that turntable a few months ago. I replaced the Rega cartridge with an Audio Technica VM95SH. Sounds brilliant. The dealer did the change, no problem. In Finland the price is €199. Good luck

 

[Dave B]

Hi! I bought that turntable a few months ago. I replaced the Rega cartridge with an Audio Technica VM95SH. Sounds brilliant. The dealer did the change, no problem. In Finland the price is €199. Good luck

Thanks! I am also considering a Pro-ject Debut Carbon Evo which is a similar price but comes with an Ortofon Red which is a good stylus/cartridge combo I understand.

 

[Dave B]

Yes, it will certainly do justice to a cartridge in that price range and more.
If buying from a dealer try to get them to sell you the turntable without the cartridge in the first place, you might get it cheaper

How would you rate the Project Carbon Evo in comparison, it comes with an Ortofon Red which I understand is fairly good. Overall value seems better?

 

[Al ears]

How would you rate the Project Carbon Evo in comparison, it comes with an Ortofon Red which I understand is fairly good. Overall value seems better?

The turntable is excellent and I think better overall. However, once again, the cartridge is their most basic and I don't like it. It is perhaps better than the Carbon so, if it was my money the Carbon Evo would be my preferred deck.

 

[ciaran]

The turntable is excellent and I think better overall. However, once again, the cartridge is their most basic and I don't like it. It is perhaps better than the Carbon so, if it was my money the Carbon Evo would be my preferred deck.

Don't Buy Pro Ject turntables I bought one and have nothing but problems with loosing the left channel. I brought it back to the dealer three times to no avail till the warranty ran out. I got in touch with Pro Ject but just got the brush off, they did not show any sympathy for their design fault and just suggested an repair facility. Rega is better I'm going to buy a Rega 3. My Debut carbon for the bin cant sell it and it would cost too much to fix. If you look on the net you will see countless negative reviews from from motor hum to poor earth connections failure of the platter to move to loosing the left channel.

 

[ciaran]

Thanks! I am also considering a Pro-ject Debut Carbon Evo which is a similar price but comes with an Ortofon Red which is a good stylus/cartridge combo I understand.

Don't buy poor quality control loosing left channel I'm going to ditch my Pro-Ject carbon for a Rega. Go for the Rega 3

 

[ciaran]

How would you rate the Project Carbon Evo in comparison, it comes with an Ortofon Red which I understand is fairly good. Overall value seems better?

Don't Buy Pro Ject turntables I bought one and have nothing but problems with loosing the left channel. I brought it back to the dealer three times to no avail till the warranty ran out. I got in touch with Pro Ject but just got the brush off, they did not show any sympathy for their design fault and just suggested an repair facility. Rega is better I'm going to buy a Rega 3. My Debut carbon for the bin cant sell it and it would cost too much to fix. If you look on the net you will see countless negative reviews from from motor hum to poor earth connections failure of the platter to move to loosing the left channel.

 

[ciaran]

The turntable is excellent and I think better overall. However, once again, the cartridge is their most basic and I don't like it. It is perhaps better than the Carbon so, if it was my money the Carbon Evo would be my preferred deck.

Don't Buy Pro Ject turntables I bought one and have nothing but problems with loosing the left channel. I brought it back to the dealer three times to no avail till the warranty ran out. I got in touch with Pro Ject but just got the brush off, they did not show any sympathy for their design fault and just suggested an repair facility. Rega is better I'm going to buy a Rega 3. My Debut carbon for the bin cant sell it and it would cost too much to fix. If you look on the net you will see countless negative reviews from from motor hum to poor earth connections failure of the platter to move to loosing the left channel.

 

[ciaran]

How would you rate the Project Carbon Evo in comparison, it comes with an Ortofon Red which I understand is fairly good. Overall value seems better?

Don't Buy Pro Ject turntables I bought one and have nothing but problems with loosing the left channel. I brought it back to the dealer three times to no avail till the warranty ran out. I got in touch with Pro Ject but just got the brush off, they did not show any sympathy for their design fault and just suggested an repair facility. Rega is better I'm going to buy a Rega 3. My Debut carbon for the bin cant sell it and it would cost too much to fix. If you look on the net you will see countless negative reviews from from motor hum to poor earth connections failure of the platter to move to loosing the left channel.

 

[record_spot]

Don't Buy Pro Ject turntables I bought one and have nothing but problems with loosing the left channel. I brought it back to the dealer three times to no avail till the warranty ran out. I got in touch with Pro Ject but just got the brush off, they did not show any sympathy for their design fault and just suggested an repair facility. Rega is better I'm going to buy a Rega 3. My Debut carbon for the bin cant sell it and it would cost too much to fix. If you look on the net you will see countless negative reviews from from motor hum to poor earth connections failure of the platter to move to loosing the left channel.

We can all read. You've made your point and turning the thread into a spam fest.

 

[Al ears]

We can all read. You've made your point and turning the thread into a spam fest.

So pointed he had to post it twice.
Good for a newbie..... 🙂