Rega Apheta 2 Loading

[Douglas]

Originally Posted by audio bill

The original Apheta cartridge had a bit more 'tipped up' response (brighter) which benefited from loading down into a lower impedance. The Apheta 2 is much more naturally balanced and should be fine at the recommended 100 ohms. Of course YMMV.

Audio Bill...I loaded the Apheta 1 also at 100 ohms and it sounded fine in my system. It is definitely more tipped up than Apheta 2, but not bright. I agree, 100 ohms should be good for Apheta 2.

Apheta 2 might be the quietest cartridge I have ever heard in terms of surface noise, simply remarkable. Dynamics still not up to par at 20 records, but I am also running in a new interconnect from preamp to phono stage at the same time.

[miner]

Originally Posted by Douglas

Thank you, Miner...It's currently loaded at 100 ohms. I will try 70 ohms as well, which is the lowest setting on my Phono Stage. Rega recommends 100 ohms in the manual. The output impedance is 10 ohms

I was thinking of the original Apheta and di not realize the '2' had been improved with loading parameters.

[miner]

I have read many reviews refer to the Apheta 2 as a 'sleeper' cartridge, meaning very good for the cost.

[Douglas]

Originally Posted by miner

I have read many reviews refer to the Apheta 2 as a 'sleeper' cartridge, meaning very good for the cost.

That is my sense as well. I think it punches way beyond its price.

[Douglas]

Disaster struck!!

The Apheta 2's right channel went dead after about 40 hours.

I am waiting now for a replacement from Rega. This is very disappointing after the long initial wait...dammit! I have to start the running-in process all over again.

Apheta 1 is back in the system. It's a good cart, but not in the same league as the Apheta 2.

[joey_corleoni]

geesh, I was catching up here and about to say congrats and I was glad you finally got it. Sorry you are stuck in bad luck land. I had a run for about 6 months where everything I bought over $5k had some problem or another. It will turn around!

[Douglas]

I received my new Apheta 2 today. I will report back once run-in has been completed. Tracking force set at 1.82 for the initial period.

[Antonmb]

[Douglas]

Originally Posted by Antonmb

Indeed

I can again confirm that the Apheta 2 is so much better than the previous version. It's so much more musically involving, with great speed and rhythm.

It also sounds different and better than the previous Apheta 2 at the same stage, sounding more transparent and energetic.

[Antonmb]

Thanks Douglas, glad to hear you're liking it so far.