I heart Rega tonearms

[JohnMichael]

Here is an interesting link to Rega tonearms both past and present. There is also good information about tweaks for the tonearms. Enjoy!

http://www.vinylengine.com/a-guide-rega-tonearms.shtml

[atomicAdam]

nice find! thanks.

[frenchmon]

..of these modified Rega arms..or patterned after Rega?

http://www.audiomods.co.uk/images/micrear380.gif

http://www.audiomods.co.uk/images/2644cutout.jpg

http://www.audiomods.co.uk/images/2638_220.gif

http://www.audiomods.co.uk/images/micrear380.gif

http://www.audiomods.co.uk/images/100-6370.jpg

http://www.audiomods.co.uk/completearms.html

[JohnMichael]

All the tonearms pictured use the cast Rega armtube. It looks like everything else is after market. What I find interesting is none of them use the spring downforce but just good old gravity like the RB250.

[basite]

All the tonearms pictured use the cast Rega armtube. It looks like everything else is after market. What I find interesting is none of them use the spring downforce but just good old gravity like the RB250.



and the armlift, and IIRC, the horizontal bearings too... but that's about it...
I think also the threaded rod/base. This is why a RB251 can't have the treatment...

and the spring is not very well received by the Rega Modders, you can't make it shiny, it takes up space, and it resonates, so no spring :D

[frenchmon]

This guy who is a machinist, took the Modded Rega arm, Pro-ject RPM 9.1 motor,Project RPM 1.3 [Tizo] Platter, made his own custom plith to make this outstanding table, and now he says he is replacing the Rega bearings with his own home made bearings. He even made the record clamp.


I'll vouch for the Tizo platters. They run dead true and have a good finish.
I run one on my home made TT. It's the RPM 1.3 platter running off an RPM 9.1 motor.
Having previously owned an RPM 5 i'd reckon the Tizo platter would be a nice upgrade over the standard MDF platter.

http://www.homebuilthifi.com/images/projects/202/Harward_Audio_0434.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v138/Gutty/Harward%20Audio/HarwardAudio063.jpg


I'm currently in the process of building a new bearing for it to replace the relatively cheap Rega bearing I'm currently running.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v138/Gutty/Harward%20Audio/HarwardAudio028.jpg

[basite]

This guy who is a machinist, took the Modded Rega arm, Pro-ject RPM 9.1 motor,Project RPM 1.3 [Tizo] Platter, made his own custom plith to make this outstanding table, and now he says he is replacing the Rega bearings with his own home made bearings. He even made the record clamp.


Yup, saw that, it's gorgeous! gives me an itch to build a new tt myself :D


about the bearings: I think he's going to replace the main bearing (for the platter), I hope he posts pictures when he designs the new bearing though :D

keep them spinning,
Bert.

[frenchmon]

Yup, saw that, it's gorgeous! gives me an itch to build a new tt myself :D


about the bearings: I think he's going to replace the main bearing (for the platter), I hope he posts pictures when he designs the new bearing though :D

keep them spinning,
Bert.

Im sure he will post it at his site...http://www.homebuilthifi.com/project/202

Heres the conversation I had with him about making me a record clamp which he thought I was talking about the entire Table...It sounds like he was talking about the Rega bearings.


frenchmon wrote:
Gutty wrote:
frenchmon wrote:
Man that is a thing of beauty! Is that a Rega arm? And what record clamp is that?


Thanks ! The arm is an Audiomods and the clamp I made myself...


I am dead serious...would you be willing to make me one???? If so what would you charge me to make one and send it to the USA to Missouri?


Really ? Let me think about it... I'm currently in the process of building a new bearing for it to replace the relatively cheap Rega bearing I'm currently running. It would add a few hundred to the price so you'd need to think about what bearing you'd like in it. You'd also need to source your own RPM 9/10 motor as the Aussie version will probably be different hz to the U.S version. Needledoctor should be able to sort you out there.


Then there's shipping... Pain in the ass....

In it's current form, without cart it's roughly $2k in parts alone with the audiomods arm. Add some of my time to that.... If you're still seriously keen PM me

Later
Matt.

[basite]

I think he's just running a rega main platter bearing... the ones in the audiomods tonearm are already replaced, and I think are more than adequate enough for that arm...

also because he said "bearing", and not "bearings"(as in, multiple, like in a tonearm). And the fact that those things are not really that easy to build, let alone let them work correctly...

(the rega main bearing on the other hand...)
I build turntables myself too, and I have modified my platter bearing too, but I have never ever heard someone building their own ball race bearings (like in the tonearm)...

UPDATE: it's in the TT's specs, the bearing is from a Rega P3... that makes me sure it's the platter bearing... :D

Keep them spinning,
Bert.

[JohnMichael]

Here it is.

[JohnMichael]

Here it is again.

[JohnMichael]

Oh thanks JM...I guess I missed it earlier...Thats a nice table. I think your arm looks great the way it is...no need to have it stripped down. What that matt like? Was there any improvements? I've heard great things about that phono amp, and its one thats on my list.

I betcha your table sounds excellent...I know you've put a lots of work into upgrading....


The mat is so much more focused than the felt Rega mat. Bass is tighter and deeper. After a few records the felt was never back on the platter. The Anniversary mat boasts better adhesives to keep the cork rings on the paper substrate. I need to compare the old Ringmat with the Anniversary. If someone would like to try the old Ringmat just PM me.

The Graham Amp 3 "Fanfare" is better with the AT F7 and the Benz MC Gold than either the Rotel of Cambridge Audio. The dynamics are great which is one thing lacking with the other two. The other two trying to amplify those low outputs was like a Chevy Chevette with 4 250 lb adults trying to climb a hill. Just ran out of steam.

The Graham is good but becomes excellent with the improved power supply. The "3" with the PSU1 is incredible but the combined price is $774.

[frenchmon]

I think he's just running a rega main platter bearing... the ones in the audiomods tonearm are already replaced, and I think are more than adequate enough for that arm...

also because he said "bearing", and not "bearings"(as in, multiple, like in a tonearm). And the fact that those things are not really that easy to build, let alone let them work correctly...

(the rega main bearing on the other hand...)
I build turntables myself too, and I have modified my platter bearing too, but I have never ever heard someone building their own ball race bearings (like in the tonearm)...

UPDATE: it's in the TT's specs, the bearing is from a Rega P3... that makes me sure it's the platter bearing... :D

Keep them spinning,
Bert.

Bert...you know more than I so lets go with your answer then...

this arm is a thing of beauty ... but I wonder if he plays a lot of mono recordings seeing he has the Ortofon Cadenza cart?

EDIT: Oh I see its a Ortofon Kontrapunkt a and not the Cadenza Mono.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v138/Gutty/Harward%20Audio/HarwardAudio099.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v138/Gutty/Harward%20Audio/HarwardAudio083.jpg

[basite]

this arm is a thing of beauty ... but I wonder if he plays a lot of mono recordings seeing he has the Ortofon Cadenza cart?

EDIT: Oh I see its a Ortofon Kontrapunkt a and not the Cadenza Mono.


It is, as I've modded my Rega arm already (a bit, more of a necessity than a mod), I've been playing around with the idea to polish it...

but I can't make it like the audiomods version, so I won't...

and the cart is very very very good too indeed, must be a superb match with that arm...

Very nice turntable, a thing of beauty...

Regards,
Bert.

[frenchmon]

It is, as I've modded my Rega arm already (a bit, more of a necessity than a mod), I've been playing around with the idea to polish it...

but I can't make it like the audiomods version, so I won't...

and the cart is very very very good too indeed, must be a superb match with that arm...

Very nice turntable, a thing of beauty...

Regards,
Bert.

Yeah...The plinth I think he said was acrylic which he cut himself...and he also made the base the Project motor sits on as well as the clamps and spiked feet and the things between the platters...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v138/Gutty/Harward%20Audio/HarwardAudio107.jpg.

[JohnMichael]

I would love to have the paint removed and the arm polished. I have only the Incognito rewire and the Michell Technoweight. The lowered weight really improves tracking. Since buying the weight even a Grado tracks well.

[frenchmon]

JM...I know you put alot into your table and I'm sure it sounds great....I would love to see a picture of it....I love eye candy.

[frenchmon]

Here it is again.

Oh thanks JM...I guess I missed it earlier...Thats a nice table. I think your arm looks great the way it is...no need to have it stripped down. What that matt like? Was there any improvements? I've heard great things about that phono amp, and its one thats on my list.

I betcha your table sounds excellent...I know you've put a lots of work into upgrading....

[frenchmon]

I think he's just running a rega main platter bearing... the ones in the audiomods tonearm are already replaced, and I think are more than adequate enough for that arm...

also because he said "bearing", and not "bearings"(as in, multiple, like in a tonearm). And the fact that those things are not really that easy to build, let alone let them work correctly...

(the rega main bearing on the other hand...)
I build turntables myself too, and I have modified my platter bearing too, but I have never ever heard someone building their own ball race bearings (like in the tonearm)...

UPDATE: it's in the TT's specs, the bearing is from a Rega P3... that makes me sure it's the platter bearing... :D

Keep them spinning,
Bert.

Bert...I just had to ask Gutty, so you are 100% correct in your in your knowledge of these things...not that I doubted you, but the curiosity was just to strong for me. So I asked him.

Heres his reply.



frenchmon wrote:

Gutty...are you replacing the Rega Arm bearing or the platters bearings?


Gutty wrote:Replacing the platter bearing.
The Audiomods arm already has some nice ceramic bearings in it. And for what it's worth, there aint much about it that's Rega. Think only the arm tube and the lifter mech.

frenchmon

[JohnMichael]

..... is a Rega/ Audionote modded arm...or based on it

Frenchmon

Now you made me go and look up the new AN tonearms. They seem to be based on the Helius Scorpio III - well a little bit. The entire thing is made from "a single piece of machined aluminium for the one piece arm tube/headshell, which is internally tapered to keep the arm both stiff and light. Another solid block of aluminium is machined to make the bearing housing which contains ‘captured unipivot’ bearings.../... uses the same geometry and fixings as Rega arms, so can be fitted to almost any deck, and thanks to a wonderfully simple and effective collar (pictured below), vta can easily and repeatedly be adjusted in tiny increments (there’s a clear marking for every 0.25mm increment).

What I am reading extremely positive results out of the UK from some reviewers and beta testers who are having difficulty finding faults with them - although it starts £654 for the entry level version and up to £1,265 for the top model. These folks are saying they are very affordable prices for the tech involved. I asked for one for review - but per usual the wait list is ridiculous - several months at the very earliest.

And they also brought out an external motor for the TT2 which controls speed changes. It's a made to order device so it will cost a little too much. Strictly for those with extra cash. They also appear to be bringing out 2-3 more turntables in the between prices from the TT2 to the ridiculous TT3 at ~$100k. They need something to fill the middle price points I am eager to see what they come up with.


http://forums.audioreview.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=8165&stc=1&d=1307075075

http://forums.audioreview.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=8166&stc=1&d=1307075094



I might say modeled after but not modded. An advantage of the Rega arm is it is a one piece casting from the bearing pivot point to the end where the cartridge is mounted. The arms in the photos show an attached headshell and it looks like another joint at the pivot point.

[frenchmon]

..... is a Rega/ Audionote modded arm...or based on it

Frenchmon

Now you made me go and look up the new AN tonearms. They seem to be based on the Helius Scorpio III - well a little bit. The entire thing is made from "a single piece of machined aluminium for the one piece arm tube/headshell, which is internally tapered to keep the arm both stiff and light. Another solid block of aluminium is machined to make the bearing housing which contains ‘captured unipivot’ bearings.../... uses the same geometry and fixings as Rega arms, so can be fitted to almost any deck, and thanks to a wonderfully simple and effective collar (pictured below), vta can easily and repeatedly be adjusted in tiny increments (there’s a clear marking for every 0.25mm increment).

What I am reading extremely positive results out of the UK from some reviewers and beta testers who are having difficulty finding faults with them - although it starts £654 for the entry level version and up to £1,265 for the top model. These folks are saying they are very affordable prices for the tech involved. I asked for one for review - but per usual the wait list is ridiculous - several months at the very earliest.

And they also brought out an external motor for the TT2 which controls speed changes. It's a made to order device so it will cost a little too much. Strictly for those with extra cash. They also appear to be bringing out 2-3 more turntables in the between prices from the TT2 to the ridiculous TT3 at ~$100k. They need something to fill the middle price points I am eager to see what they come up with.


http://forums.audioreview.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=8165&stc=1&d=1307075075

http://forums.audioreview.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=8166&stc=1&d=1307075094

[frenchmon]

Hey JM...whats wrong with these postings...the order seems to be all messed up...

anyway, I think I heard a Rega table once...it was Peabodys table and may I add, that table is a nice looking table. All though it had that Rega cart that, to me sounds lifeless, I could tell it was an excellent table in looks and sound. This might be a silly question but... what makes the Rega Arm so good? I see a lot of TT manufacturers who use the Rega arm or making a modded arm, or as you pointed out, modeled after Rega. What makes them so good?


BTW...I think that Audionote arm is just butt ugly....shhhh dont tell RGA I said that. Hes got it bad for Audionote gear.

[vlad008]

Hey JM...whats wrong with these postings...the order seems to be all messed up...

anyway, I think I heard a Rega table once...it was Peabodys table and may I add, that table is a nice looking table. All though it had that Rega cart that, to me sounds lifeless, I could tell it was an excellent table in looks and sound. This might be a silly question but... what makes the Rega Arm so good? I see a lot of TT manufacturers who use the Rega arm or making a modded arm, or as you pointed out, modeled after Rega. What makes them so good?


BTW...I think that Audionote arm is just butt ugly....shhhh dont tell RGA I said that. Hes got it bad for Audionote gear.

We had a clock issue with one of the forum servers yesterday - should be fixed now. -adam

[frenchmon]

...To add to the list.

http://www.audioorigami.co.uk/AO_Rewires/Gold_Rega2.jpg

http://www.audioorigami.co.uk/AO_Rewires/silver-armtube.jpg

Can be seen here http://www.audioorigami.co.uk/AO_Rewires/AORewires.htm

[JohnMichael]

Silver plated for me please.:thumbsup:

[frenchmon]

Yeah...I thought they where rather nice. That is a rather attractive arm. Does yours have a shine to it JM? Or is it powder?

[JohnMichael]

My RB 250 has the original black paint. My cartridge and counterweight are a silver color so the arm in silver would be awesome.

[frenchmon]

My RB 250 has the original black paint. My cartridge and counterweight are a silver color so the arm in silver would be awesome.

Oh I see. You going to try and get one? I bet the arms are kinda pricey. If you do get one, dont for the pictures....I love eye candy.