Review: Rega Planar 8 turntable

 

I've owned a half-dozen turntables in my time.  Starting with an old Technics direct driver with a p-mount cartridge and working through two VPIs, a long running Dual CS5000, and two Thorens of varying vintages.  Except for some experimentation with the Denon DL-103R MC, it has mostly been MM cartridges of different expenses.  I thought, for example that the Thorens TD309 and Ortofon Bronze cartridge was very good - especially for the price - combination.

Well the past few months living with a new Rega RP8 and Ania Pro MC cartridge has been a real eye-opener.  Gone is the fuzziness and opaqueness of the MM sound, replaced by more detail and a bigger soundstage.  The experience has changed my mind about the moving magnet.  Though the Rega Ania Pro MC needs a step-up transformer  - in my case Cinemag 1254s - the speed and transparency has brought everything up to a much higher level of refinement.

Since there are already several reviews of the 'table I will keep it short.

The biggest surprise with the Rega combination is the bass and dynamics.  It was always my belief that a "real" turntable required a gagillion pound platter and base.  Instead the RP8 is decidedly unimpressive - at least visually - compared to something like a VPI Aries.  How did Rega do it?  I have no idea about the mechanical engineering behind this table, but, to my ears, is just works.  Perhaps it is the turntable acting as a whole system with a cartridge, arm, and everything else like the included speed controller working together.

Soundstaging, like on several original Dead Can Dance LPs, is superlative.  We are talking a rounded arc left-to-right that goes beyond the edges of the speaker, along with exceptional depth.  The coloration and clarity of something like Lonnie Liston Smith's Visions of a New World comes through much better than my now-departed Thorens TD309/Ortofon 2M Bronze.  This is also a big sound turntable with excellent resolution and separation of instruments; exceeding any front end I've ever had before.

Yes the Rega RP8 is much more expensive than my previous turntable but, at least in this case, the cost was worth the sonic upgrade.  Not only does my whole system sound that much better, but everything from the preamp to the amplifier and even the speakers sound way better than their price point. 

Very, very recommended.

System:

• Audio Research SP8
• modified Eico ST70 with 6AR6 tubes
• Cardas Neutral Reference interconnects
• KEF R500 speakers with Mogami stranded wiring
  
• Dual CS5000 turntable with an Ortofon OM20 cart, aftermarket Shibata Stylus

Major Stereo Changes Coming

I've sold off my Eico HF-60 monoblocks, Quicksilver preamplifier, and, most important of all, the VPI Aries 1 turntable.  As to why this large step was made, it was a matter of listening habit.  My main system, which was located in the basement, just wasn't getting the airtime that it needed.  Instead I've been doing most of my listening upstairs on my family orientated stereo.  Yes, this second system does not have the high fidelity bonafides of my main rig, but it certainly is more enjoyable over a wide variety of music.  What it does lack is some sort of soundstaging and ultimate dynamics.

Instead of fruitlessly trying to pursue the impossible dream of an ultimate stereo - and all the trouble that brings - I've decided to scale back my aspirations and concentrate on the joys of music.

With that in mind, I will be using the Dynavector 10X5 cartridge paired with the Dual CS-5000 turntable.  I will then replace the Nakamichi receiver with a McIntosh 2100 amplifier and some sort of preamplifier, possibly the McIntosh C-27.  These older pieces will not have the definition of my old main system, but I am hoping to reach a happy medium of musicality and audiophile sound quality - truly a difficult balancing act.

More later!

New turntable: VPI Aries I

This was an unexpected purchase since recent events have cut back on my audio acquisitions.  But this was one deal that I couldn't pass up.  Featuring a thick MDF plinth, the heavy-duty metal platter from a TNT table, and a JMW 10.5 tonearm, the Aries is one heck of a piece of engineering.

I've always been impressed with the sound of my old HW19 Mark III turntable and though the Aries would only be a minor step up in quality.  But even with the only cartridge I currently have - the Denon DL-110, I heard a major improvement.  With the Aries I the background is quieter and blacker with less of a washy sound.  Bass goes lower and with more impact, while detail and treble quality has also improved.  I obviously need to upgrade the cartridge, so this isn't a real review, but more of a revelation.  I've always distrusted solid plinth turntables, intellectualizing the superiority of suspended designs.  But I guess with enough mass loading, a great tonearm, and a heavy platter, the more "primitive" solid plinth designs can compete.

More later when I've had time to process the changes and have a better cartridge installed.