Rega Planar 3 cartridge

[Antz81]

Hi, I have a Rega planar 3 (2016) with the elys2 fitted. I'm looking to replace the cartridge, hopefully with something that will give better sound.
I was thinking of going with a Nagaoka MP-110. Wondering what people think of that option, or if they would recommend something else?
Also wondering what people say about tonearm spacers. Is one needed (if so what thickness)? I see differing opinions on this.

 

[Al ears]

Whilst the Nagaoka are great cartridges they are not the bargains they were years ago. However, to answer your questions, it is a very good cartridge and yes, you will need a spacer but I am unsure of thicknesses available.
Generally when you replace a Rega cartridge with anything else then a spacer will be required.
The way to find out the spacer thickness required is to accurately measure the depth (or height of the body) of the Elys 2 and then see what the difference is between that and the depth of the Nagaoka.
How much will you have to pay for the MP110?
Does your deck have the column mount or newer three-point mount for the tonearm?
There are better methods of height adjustment available for the older column -mount tonearms.

 

[Antz81]

Whilst the Nagaoka are great cartridges they are not the bargains they were years ago. However, to answer your questions, it is a very good cartridge and yes, you will need a spacer but I am unsure of thicknesses available.
Generally when you replace a Rega cartridge with anything else then a spacer will be required.
The way to find out the spacer thickness required is to accurately measure the depth (or height of the body) of the Elys 2 and then see what the difference is between that and the depth of the Nagaoka.
How much will you have to pay for the MP110?
Does your deck have the column mount or newer three-point mount for the tonearm?
There are better methods of height adjustment available for the older column -mount tonearms.

I have the three point mount.
Cost of a mp110 here is NZ$350
for a bit of a price comparison here's a few others below
mp150 $800
Elys 2 $285
Exact $600
Goldring 2100 $549
Goldring 2200 $749
Ortofon 2m blue $399
Ortofon 2m Bronze $729

 

[Al ears]

I have the three point mount.
Cost of a mp110 here is NZ$350
for a bit of a price comparison here's a few others below
mp150 $800
Elys 2 $285
Exact $600
Goldring 2100 $549
Goldring 2200 $749
Ortofon 2m blue $399
Ortofon 2m Bronze $729

Thanks,
I don't know too much about the shimming mechanism for the three point mount as I had an older Planar 3 with the column mount.
Can you get any Audio Technica cartridges there for around the same price as MP110?
How much is an Audio Technica AT-VM95SH?
Looking at the MP110 again, it may be that you could fit it without the shims however you would have to measure the height of the cartridge as they don't publish these figures..

 

[Deleted member 108165]

Done a bit of research and Rega carts appear to be 14mm height, not sure if this includes the stylus, I would guess probably not. Other manufacturers appear to be 18mm height including stylus. So if moving away from Rega then shimming would be advisable. If shimming then watch out for arm clearance to lid, if your Rega has a lid/cover.

 

[Al ears]

Done a bit of research and Rega carts appear to be 14mm height, not sure if this includes the stylus, I would guess probably not. Other manufacturers appear to be 18mm height including stylus. So if moving away from Rega then shimming would be advisable. If shimming then watch out for arm clearance to lid, if your Rega has a lid/cover.

Good work. One would hope a 4mm shim is not going to affect closing the lid

 

[daytona600]

Google fit a better cartridge to my rega 6,620,000 results you are not alone
just stick to rega mediocre cartridges if you want a better cartridge buy a technics/project & Any cartridge Ever made from any brand can be used
you can spend hours fitting shims , vta risers , removing tonearm & still not get the great results adjusting Vta & Azimuth & Bias
18mm industry standard , rega are 14mm non-standard , almost as if they want you only to use rega cartridges
or get a Wally fulcrum
WallyFulcrum Instructional Video - YouTube

 

[jordanfx]

i had fitted 1 shim on my rega for an ortofon blue cartridge and no problem with lid closure.

 

[jamesrfisher]

Rega do spacers for the 3 point arm

Rega | 2mm Three Point Arm Height Adjustment Spacer - Stainless

Some other manufacturers cartridges may have a deeper body than Rega cartridges, these will sometimes require the use of the three point spacer. Made in England.

www.rega.co.uk

I have an old column mount arm, have a Nagaoka MP150 and used the old school spacer, it is only 2mm but i preferred just one spacer to doubling up, seems to look beter to my arm and also balances better.

 

[Antz81]

Thanks,
I don't know too much about the shimming mechanism for the three point mount as I had an older Planar 3 with the column mount.
Can you get any Audio Technica cartridges there for around the same price as MP110?
How much is an Audio Technica AT-VM95SH?
Looking at the MP110 again, it may be that you could fit it without the shims however you would have to measure the height of the cartridge as they don't publish these figures..

At-vm95en $329
At-vm95ml $469
At-vm95sh $499

Shims are available, have my eye on a set that doesn't require removal of the tonearm to fit. Just loosen it off and slid them under.

 

[Al ears]

At-vm95en $329
At-vm95ml $469
At-vm95sh $499

Shims are available, have my eye on a set that doesn't require removal of the tonearm to fit. Just loosen it off and slid them under.

Good news regards shims, bad news that the VM95ML is dearer than the MP110 because I would have said get that if it was cheaper...

 

[Antz81]

Measured the rega to confirm 14mm including stylus. so looks like I would need a 4mm shim. This also looks like it would cause issues with the Lid, but that's a much easier problem to deal with.

Why the VM95ML rather than the VM95SH? since they are so close in price I would have thought the SH makes more sense.
Is the VM95ML a much better sound than the ML-110? or just very similar so if it was cheaper that would make it a better option?

 

[Al ears]

Measured the rega to confirm 14mm including stylus. so looks like I would need a 4mm shim. This also looks like it would cause issues with the Lid, but that's a much easier problem to deal with.

Why the VM95ML rather than the VM95SH? since they are so close in price I would have thought the SH makes more sense.
Is the VM95ML a much better sound than the ML-110? or just very similar so if it was cheaper that would make it a better option?

I was attempting to suggest a cartridge that was as close to the price of the MP-110 as possible, no other reason.
Certainly the SH (shibata) would be a better buy the the ML (microline) but is it worth the extra $30? Yes, I would say so.
Regarding the ML v MP-110 I would say it's a very personal thing and, if they had identical prices I would take the ML, however that's just me and there is really little between them. Overall, if you can afford the VM95SH then that is the one I would recommend.

 

[Antz81]

Looks like I can get the VM95SH for $350(shipping and tax included) if I order it from overseas rather than locally so I guess that's the one I'll go for.

 

[djh1697]

A Mitchell Technoweight is a massive improvement, also, if you can get you arm rewired by Audio Origami, it turns your arm into a giant killer! Then if you decide to upgrade your turntable at a later date, you can take the arm with you. If you are in the UK speak to Peter Swain.

 

[Antz81]

The counterweight seems like it gets some good reviews. Will have to look more into that one. Unfortunately I'm about as far from the UK as I can get.

 

[Al ears]

A Mitchell Technoweight is a massive improvement, also, if you can get you arm rewired by Audio Origami, it turns your arm into a giant killer! Then if you decide to upgrade your turntable at a later date, you can take the arm with you. If you are in the UK speak to Peter Swain.

If he is quoting prices in NZ dollars he is unlikely to be in the UK. see post #3

 

[hilroy48]

I have a Rega P3, i am running a Goldring 2300 cart , around $900.00 i also upgraded to a Michael lim Aluminum sub plater and acrylic main plater, with a white belt upgrade. Running a Sugden A21 phono pre amp. This setup is for sale, i am upgrading again.

 

[nopiano]

I have a Rega P3, i am running a Goldring 2300 cart , around $900.00 i also upgraded to a Michael lim Aluminum sub plater and acrylic main plater, with a white belt upgrade. Running a Sugden A21 phono pre amp. This setup is for sale, i am upgrading again.

If you’re looking to sell them then this isn’t the place. Other forums have Classified sections, or your favourite auction site!

 

[hilroy48]

If you’re looking to sell them then this isn’t the place. Other forums have Classified sections, or your favourite auction site!

what just saying that i upgraded, dont need to sell it. may just move it to my basement system>

 

[nopiano]

what just saying that i upgraded, dont need to sell it. may just move it to my basement system>

You said “This setup is for sale, i am upgrading again.” which wasn’t ambiguous. Perhaps you mistyped your earlier post, or it’s the Sugden you are selling?

 

[Al ears]

Whatever was said, and he did, we don't have a classified advert sbforum

 

[hilroy48]

Who ******* cares.

 

[Al ears]

Who ******* cares.

We do.
It should not be assumed by any newbies that this forum is another eBay.
Perhaps if you cannot add anything positive to a thread.............