VTA Adjusters for Rega P3 / RB300 arm

[the record spot]

Do the Michell VTA adjusters work only on Michell decks with Rega arms, or can they be fitted to any TT? I only ask as I need one for my P3, which has an RB300, however, if the Michell is incompatible, I'll spend a little extra on the Origin Live VTA instead. I've read a few links online, but none seem to be wholly clear about this and I don;t want to waste the money buying something which is unuseable.

 

[John Duncan]

Unless you want to fiddle endlessly, go to a rega dealer and get their set of three spacers (£7 when I bought them a few years ago) which can be combined to give the correct height.

Why do you need vta adjustment on a P3? Tall cartridge?

 

[the record spot]

Hi John - thanks for the quick reply.

I'd prefer not to fiddle around with the spacers; the VTA adjuster is £25 (from Origin) but is threaded so I can manually raise the arm height without mucking around adding or taking them away. Had thought about it, but the lazy sod in me liked the ease of operation the VTA adjuster affords!

I'd bought an AT ML440a cartridge which needs a little extra room from the Rega Elys it replaced.

 

[gregory]

the rega cartridges are quite tall compared to others so i dont see a problem with the 440mla, great cartridge by the way. why not have a look on the vinyl engine. they have a dedicated rega page with tons of information.

 

[the record spot]

Well, there's a problem alright as the rear end of the cartridge body rides too close to the vinyl and on sometimes hits the LP surface - that was my cue to get the adjuster! 🙂

I checked with Walrus Audio in London and it looks like the Michell is purely for their decks, rather than universal. Looks like I'll go down the Origin Live VTA route in the end.

It is a good cartridge though; very open and analytical (some would say harsh) and tracks like a winner at the price.

 

[gregory]

in that case i would go with john's advice and get the rega spacers, one is enough and you still need to install the origin spacer as well as the rega.

 

[the record spot]

I'd looked into the individual 2mm spacers before thanks Gregory, but prefer the flexibility the Origin adjustment tool gives (it allows up to 10mm fairly easily). Once it's in, it's in and I can tweak from there. Thanks for the tips though chaps.

 

[the record spot]

Update (I hope everyone's keeping up with this drama unfolding as we speak....): the guy at Walrus tells me the Origin might only fit once the hole in the Rega has been widened slightly. Not quite what I was after. Have now opted for cheaper less DIY tools requirement option of Rega spacers instead.

(Tune in for next week's gripping episode, etc, etc.......)

 

[gregory]

good for you.

 

[John Duncan]

My work here is done....

 

[the record spot]

Indeed it is and thanks for the tip. The spacer went in with relatively minimal fuss and all for the cost fo £1.50 from the (extremely) good people at Walrus in London. Really nice guy - very helpful and what an amazing shop; always nice to see somewhere that's like a bit of an old curiosity shop (Retro Reproductions in Edinburgh falls into this category too).

Anyway, the AT-440MLa absolutely sings now - great cartridge, so much detail it was a big step forward from the Elys. Delighted!