An extended review of the Rega P5

[watercourse]

I completely agree. I've had my P5 for about 3 years now, and have added some simple tweaks and mods. However, they all have been icing on the cake - the P5 is just a delicious table as is. This weekend, I heard a nice restored Garrard 301 at Pitch Perfect, where music I was very familiar with was played. Coming home to the P5, I'm always impressed at how it gets to the soul and emotion of the music. Best audio purchase I've made!
Wilson

[Jerome W]

Stephen,

Did you hear any difference in sound with the white belt ?
I have been very busy lately and did not take the time to analyse but it does not seem to me to change anything....

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[Puma Cat]

Bonjour Jérôme,

Sorry, I don't know how I missed your post!

No, I can't hear a difference, either, but it sure looks cool!

[Jerome W]

Originally Posted by Puma Cat

Bonjour Jérôme,

Sorry, I don't know how I missed your post!

No, I can't hear a difference, either, but it sure looks cool!

At least we tried !

[Puma Cat]

Yes.

[steve ringler]

Sorry to be the negative voice in the universe, but my experience with Rega's P-9 a number of years ago contradicts the general consensus. I found the Rega cold and clinical, bright with no "soul" : basically a sterile, clinical sound. I coupled it with a Rega exact and Koetsu Onyx. Electronics were Conrad Johnson driving Pro-Ac Response 2's. There was no comparison between the Rega deck and a current Linn Sondek LP12 I had at the time. The Rega was simply not in the same league! Oh well, as they say, that's what makes horse races (whatever that means).

[Jerome W]

Originally Posted by steve ringler

Sorry to be the negative voice in the universe, but my experience with Rega's P-9 a number of years ago contradicts the general consensus. I found the Rega cold and clinical, bright with no "soul" : basically a sterile, clinical sound. I coupled it with a Rega exact and Koetsu Onyx. Electronics were Conrad Johnson driving Pro-Ac Response 2's. There was no comparison between the Rega deck and a current Linn Sondek LP12 I had at the time. The Rega was simply not in the same league! Oh well, as they say, that's what makes horse races (whatever that means).

Compared directly to the LP12, many tables can sound clinical and without soul.
I have had a LP12 for years and loved it but when I sold it that was because I was looking for a faster, leaner and more neutral sound. The LP12 sound is charming for sure but it is far from neutral : the bass sounds almost the same on all the records for example. Moreover, it lacks some dynamics compared to the Rega. But overall, I agree with your analysis. Their sound is very different and the Rega is clearly brighter. Where I do not agree is about the "no soul" thing. I find the Rega being extremely neutral, yet, very musical.
The Rega is faster, more dynamic and "tight", and more neutral.
Still, I consider the LP12 SE to be one of the best musical TT ever made.
I have a high mass design TT ( Clearaudio Champion level II ) and the very low mass Rega P9. In a perfect world I would add a third one : a suspended design like the LP12SE or the SME 20/3. They all have their strengths and weaknesses. A record can sound very good in only one of them and rather poor on the others.

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[Puma Cat]

Originally Posted by steve ringler

Sorry to be the negative voice in the universe, but my experience with Rega's P-9 a number of years ago contradicts the general consensus. I found the Rega cold and clinical, bright with no "soul" : basically a sterile, clinical sound. I coupled it with a Rega exact and Koetsu Onyx. Electronics were Conrad Johnson driving Pro-Ac Response 2's. There was no comparison between the Rega deck and a current Linn Sondek LP12 I had at the time. The Rega was simply not in the same league! Oh well, as they say, that's what makes horse races (whatever that means).

Not been my experience that Regas are cold and clinical. VPIs? Yes. Regas? No.

I would agree that suspended tables have a warmer more liquid presentation, but there's absolutely no way in which I would refer to my P5 as cold and clinical. I would say the Rega has a more upfront, punchy, dynamic presentation, a table that kicks the jams out more, my Michell is smoother, warmer, more liquid. I like both very much, but they're kind of like red wines....the Rega is Cabernet, the Michell Pinot Noir.

I'd say the Rega is better for rock and pop, the Michell better for classical, both about the same for jazz.

[Puma Cat]

Originally Posted by C220MC275

Compared directly to the LP12, many tables can sound clinical and without soul.
I have had a LP12 for years and loved it but when I sold it that was because I was looking for a faster, leaner and more neutral sound. The LP12 sound is charming for sure but it is far from neutral : the bass sounds almost the same on all the records for example. Moreover, it lacks some dynamics compared to the Rega. But overall, I agree with your analysis. Their sound is very different and the Rega is clearly brighter. Where I do not agree is about the "no soul" thing. I find the Rega being extremely neutral, yet, very musical.
The Rega is faster, more dynamic and "tight", and more neutral.
Still, I consider the LP12 SE to be one of the best musical TT ever made.
I have a high mass design TT ( Clearaudio Champion level II ) and the very low mass Rega P9. In a perfect world I would add a third one : a suspended design like the LP12SE or the SME 20/3. They all have their strengths and weaknesses. A record can sound very good in only one of them and rather poor on the others.

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I agree, Jérôme, you've summed it up very well. I guess I wouldn't classify my Rega as bright, but more forward than my Michell. Bear in mind though that I am using a step-up transformer and they tend to smooth out highs nicely. I completely agree about dynamics, my Michell lacks dynamics compared to my P5, the P5 is dynamic and punchy, however for classical, particularly full orchestra, the Michell's sweetness and smoothness makes a nicer presentation than the P5, which is bit too forward. The Michell doesn't have the bass tightness and output of the P5, but it has greater "air" and spaciousness. I think both are very musical, just in different ways.

I agree they all have their own strengths and weaknesses. I enjoy listening to both of mine very much. Also think for that the price the P5 sold for, even at it's original MSRP of $1395, it's an amazingly good table for the money and competes with tables in the >$5000 price range, and I could easily live it as my only table and be very, very happy.

[Jerome W]

I will add that although I enjoy a lot the Exact on the P9, I know that it limits seriously the performance of the P9. I'm thinking about a much high end MC cart and will probably try the Apheta finally. I heard it on the P6 and it was very very far from sounding cold....

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