I really like the way the counterweight is up close to the front of the stub when using the Ania Pro. A beautiful set up. What did you find in the Aria as compared to the Fono MC?
Rega Owner's Thread
- Thread starter Art K.
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joecoulson
CUPBOARD BROKER
Thanks David.
The Aria with the same Ania (non pro) cart was an upgrade in dynamics and depth of stereo image. Along with better decay and noise floor. Just a whole step in the right direction. it really came to life with the addition of the Ania pro cartridge though. Now the entendres high frequency expands the soundstage and I hear so much more than I ever did. I know that this set up is now at the level where it would take quadruple or more the amount of investment to get the next step up in gains. Super happy.
The Aria with the same Ania (non pro) cart was an upgrade in dynamics and depth of stereo image. Along with better decay and noise floor. Just a whole step in the right direction. it really came to life with the addition of the Ania pro cartridge though. Now the entendres high frequency expands the soundstage and I hear so much more than I ever did. I know that this set up is now at the level where it would take quadruple or more the amount of investment to get the next step up in gains. Super happy.
I noted up thread that I had ordered a 'scratch and dent' Fono MM MkIII, but to my surprise the unit that arrived was a brand new MKV unit. This time I got the bear I suppose, although the MKV guts are exactly the same as those in the MkIII from what I've read. Anyway, I've been listening for a couple days and the unit has been powered and turned on for more than 24 hours. I use a Planar 6 in front of it and then a Cambridge CXA-81 drives JBL Studio 590s.
In comparing it to a Hagerman Cornet 3 the Fono improves (to my ear) on bass control, overall dynamics and soundstage. It's also completely silent even with volume control cranked, which I've learned over time is quite a feat. With the Cornet 3, even when placement was optimized and quiet tubes installed I could hear a slight hum from the woofers when holding my head close to the speakers. That hum became a little more noticeable when I inserted the Cambridge CXA81 into the system in place of separates. Come to think of it I've never heard a system with tubes installed that didn't have a bit of hum. Sometimes that's OK and sometimes that drives me a little nuts.
Anyway, the Fono has surprised me by sounding more appealing than the Cornet 3 and the Darlington MP-7 that I tried before that. Accurate but euphonic. I believe I'll probably stick with this unit until I find a great deal on an Aria. It's taken time but I'm sold on Rega, even though we pay a serious premium for it here in the US. I've lost count of the number of phono preamps I've used, although none beyond the $600 price point, and the Fono is making for a great fit in my system. Like I said upthread, now I need to keep eyes peeled for an Elex or Elicit.
In comparing it to a Hagerman Cornet 3 the Fono improves (to my ear) on bass control, overall dynamics and soundstage. It's also completely silent even with volume control cranked, which I've learned over time is quite a feat. With the Cornet 3, even when placement was optimized and quiet tubes installed I could hear a slight hum from the woofers when holding my head close to the speakers. That hum became a little more noticeable when I inserted the Cambridge CXA81 into the system in place of separates. Come to think of it I've never heard a system with tubes installed that didn't have a bit of hum. Sometimes that's OK and sometimes that drives me a little nuts.
Anyway, the Fono has surprised me by sounding more appealing than the Cornet 3 and the Darlington MP-7 that I tried before that. Accurate but euphonic. I believe I'll probably stick with this unit until I find a great deal on an Aria. It's taken time but I'm sold on Rega, even though we pay a serious premium for it here in the US. I've lost count of the number of phono preamps I've used, although none beyond the $600 price point, and the Fono is making for a great fit in my system. Like I said upthread, now I need to keep eyes peeled for an Elex or Elicit.
joecoulson
CUPBOARD BROKER
Good stuff David.
Although I completely am in love with their turntable stuff, I wouldn’t try their front end stuff. I’ve read horror stories about some of the power supplies and background noises in their integrated and preamps.
Although I completely am in love with their turntable stuff, I wouldn’t try their front end stuff. I’ve read horror stories about some of the power supplies and background noises in their integrated and preamps.
That's good to know. I've seen complaints about the Brio and Io but hadn't seen other than good reviews on the Elex and above. Thanks.
joecoulson
CUPBOARD BROKER
Actually, I think you are right, mainly Brio noise complaints.
Doing a quick search though, there seems to be a few reviews on forums out there that are 5050 some love them and some preferred another replacement.
Doing a quick search though, there seems to be a few reviews on forums out there that are 5050 some love them and some preferred another replacement.
I finally finished the SRM-Tech "AZURE" Kit (clear acrylic) using a 2016+ Planar 3 as the donor. I've added many mods to it: Rega MKII PSU for speed control, Tangospinner Zirconia High Lube subplatter and bearing, Tangospinner dual belt pulley, SRM-Tech lower motor thrust bearing, Acrylic Platter with stainless steel weights (Cherry Audio in London), Incognito Rewire of the RB330 arm with a Groovetracer counterweight (130 gram weights used), and finally an Audio Technica VM740ML cartridge and Audio Technica tonearm saftey raiser... the sound is amazing.
I did a little experiment on my Rega Planar 3 50th anniversay edition with factory adjusted PSU and my Planar 3 based SRM-Tech Azure with it's own MKII PSU. I checked the RPM using the cell phone app when playing a record (not just an empty platter) and the speed on the 50th was 33.31 to 33.35, average 33.33 the Azure was just a bit slow so I adjusted the PSU and ended up with the exact same speeds..... so much for the myth of Regas' running fast.
Greenie
Active Member
Very pretty
As you may recall I also have a similar Azure kit supporting a R200 arm. I thought my upgrades would now cease as I'm quite happy with the performance but then I look at that platter with steel weights and think, well, Christmas is coming.
I'm also blaming you for alerting me to the motor thrust bearing.
Where did you get the AT safety raiser, I'm using a Q-lift which does the job but is an ugly thing imo. My attempt to use a chinese tonearm lift almost drove me crazy as it either didn't work, or I missed most of the last track on LPs.
Regards, Steve.
I had to buy the thrust bearing because when I pulled off the factory pulley to put on the dual belt Tangospinner pulley my motor developed a tick-tick-tick. The armature was now rubbing on the top of the case. When I pulled off the factory bearing on the bottom (the red plastic cap with a spring and ball bearing inside to hold the armature up) the armature then rubbed on the bottom of the case... the SRM-Tech adjustable bearing lets you set the height of the armature/pulley and it runs silent.Very pretty
As you may recall I also have a similar Azure kit supporting a R200 arm. I thought my upgrades would now cease as I'm quite happy with the performance but then I look at that platter with steel weights and think, well, Christmas is coming.
I'm also blaming you for alerting me to the motor thrust bearing.
Where did you get the AT safety raiser, I'm using a Q-lift which does the job but is an ugly thing imo. My attempt to use a chinese tonearm lift almost drove me crazy as it either didn't work, or I missed most of the last track on LPs.
Regards, Steve.
I got the AT Safety Raisers from Music Direct- they aren't cheap ($129), but look good and work better. Sometimes they pop up on Ebay for a bit less money- they are fidely to get set right (height and distance from spindle before it lifts) but once you get it set to your liking you can forget about having to play with it again.
Audio Technica - AT6006R Safety Raiser
The world's largest online retailer of high-end audio, audiophile music, and accessories. We specialize in vinyl records and turntables.
www.musicdirect.com
Cherry Audio in London is out of stock on the platters (both six and 12 weight ones)- hopefully they'll get them back soon- I'm thinking of getting the heavier 12 weight one for the Azure and putting the six weight one on my 50th anniversary edition Planar 3.
Rega | Cherry Audio
Cherry Audio designed and manufactured upgrades and accessories for Rega turntables. Acrylic platters, platter mats and aluminium sub-platters. Including our innovative magnetic bearing system and modular stainless steel weighted acrylic platter.
www.cherryaudio.co.uk
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seannc
Member
Nice. I auditioned the Brio a couple years back and thought it really punched above its weight.
As long as you got the metal top for the sub platter all is good. The P6 platter is thinner in the center than the 12mm thick P3 one (hence the need for the cap to maintain height) and thicker out towards the edge so it aids in rotational (speed) stability. Give the platter a little push start when you turn it on, it is a lot heavier than the P3 platter.
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