losthorizon
Well-Known Member
I have a collection of belts and I'm not sure which one I like the best, I find that if left for a while the white belts take on the shape of the small motor pulley and it takes a while for the kink to come out.
Rega Owner's Thread
- Thread starter Art K.
- Start date
My P3 is brand new and shipped with the new EBLT belt (not the "Reference" one though) - phone app shows 33.4 rpm and 0.12 W&F- not too shabby. I think the regular EBLT is about $40, the Reference one is around $65.
For comparison I just checked my ancient Marantz 6200- when the strobe shows it locked into 33 1/3 rpm my phone app shows 33.5 rpm, W&F is 0.15 (new specs were supposed to be 0.06 so I guess it is a bit worn).
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From what I've read, 5 years or so. If you don't play it everyday then rotate the platter 1/3 rpm to keep the belt from kinking (it will conform to the shape of the motor pulley if left immobile for too long)
Before the EBLT, Rega recommended replacing the belt every five years. They claim a 50% increase in life span for the new belts, so I would assume 7 1/2 years.
seannc
Member
I installed the Michael Lim adjustable aluminum isolation feet on my Planar 3 over the weekend. I also recently acquired the Groovetracer delrin platter. Confirmation bias is possible (probable?), but I'm very happy with the results and I think I've reached my upgrade limit.
Except....I've had my Exact for almost two years and it's been my favorite cartridge on my Rega so far, but am considering an eventual upgrade. The HANA SL is currently on the top of the list.
Except....I've had my Exact for almost two years and it's been my favorite cartridge on my Rega so far, but am considering an eventual upgrade. The HANA SL is currently on the top of the list.
Baker Brad
New Member
Hi folks, I am a new Rega owner, just received my P3 a couple of weeks ago. So far, I’m very happy with the sound quality, but I think there is something off and am hoping there is someone to share their experience.
When I first powered it up I noticed a slight pulsating noise from the TT. The noise is only audible from a foot or two away, and it can’t be detected through the sound system, but I don’t think a motor should have a noise like this at all. A friend suggested that the belt may need to be broken in, but after a few days without improvement I did a little sleuthing. I removed the belt and found the noise was coming from the motor itself. A web search turned up an occasional fault where the lubricant could sometimes drain if the unit had been inverted during shipping. Rega sent a few ccs of lubricant and instructions how to apply it, and I let it run uninterrupted for 24+ hours as instructed. There was still no change in the noise.
The vendor is very helpful and working with me to resolve it. But my question is am I being too picky here and creating a problem where none exists? Is it reasonable to expect zero noise from a motor? (I do have a recording but haven’t figured out how to attach it to this post yet, I’m working on it.)
Thanks for your help!
-Brad
When I first powered it up I noticed a slight pulsating noise from the TT. The noise is only audible from a foot or two away, and it can’t be detected through the sound system, but I don’t think a motor should have a noise like this at all. A friend suggested that the belt may need to be broken in, but after a few days without improvement I did a little sleuthing. I removed the belt and found the noise was coming from the motor itself. A web search turned up an occasional fault where the lubricant could sometimes drain if the unit had been inverted during shipping. Rega sent a few ccs of lubricant and instructions how to apply it, and I let it run uninterrupted for 24+ hours as instructed. There was still no change in the noise.
The vendor is very helpful and working with me to resolve it. But my question is am I being too picky here and creating a problem where none exists? Is it reasonable to expect zero noise from a motor? (I do have a recording but haven’t figured out how to attach it to this post yet, I’m working on it.)
Thanks for your help!
-Brad
My Planar 6 is utterly silent, so much so that I could scarcely believe it when I first bought it. I've owned several other 'slab plinth' turntables with motors mounted directly to the plinth and this is the first one that has run completely quietly even with my ear right next to the platter. If you hear sound coming from the motor I would ask the dealer to replace it since that's part of what you get in buying new, the warranty. You tried the lubricant, it didn't resolve the issue, the next step (IMO) is they replace the machine.
Baker Brad
New Member
Thanks, David, that was certainly my gut reaction, too. I was just checking that my expectations weren’t too high for this type of TT.
-Brad
maxhifi
Addicted Member
The noise exists only when you first power it up, or it is continuous while the player is running?
My PL6 makes a noise when it first is powered up, but after it gets to speed is dead silent. If it is making noise after it is up to speed, it is defective somehow.
My new Planar 3 was dead silent with the factory sub platter, and is still that way with my new Groove Tracer sub platter as well... I'd ask for a new motor or a completely new table. These TT sound better the longer they break in.
Baker Brad
New Member
Yes, it is continuous even after it is up to speed. I believe you’re right and it is defective. Thanks.
Baker Brad
New Member
The vendor has been very helpful and I will probably be returning it this week. They did mention something about sending out a new motor that I can replace myself, but to preserve the warranty I think they should do it.
I didn’t realize that TTs improve with break in. Besides the belt and the stylus, what other parts get better over time?
The cartridge improves quite a bit after 40-50 hours of use (mine has the Exact 2)
losthorizon
Well-Known Member
It should not do that, in fact, I have never heard one with a noisy motor, Send it back and ask for a replacement.
Baker Brad
New Member
Thank you everyone for your help. It is currently in transit for a replacement.
losthorizon
Well-Known Member
If you are changing the cartridge you will need to reset it all to be sure it's right, it's an easy job honestly.
The Bias 2 is a Rega cartridge with the three hole mounting system so you will mount it with the three holes, which will ensure proper alignment. However, you will have to change the position of the counterweight and to do that you'll need a small digital scale that measures to the tenths or hundredths of a gram. A quick search on amazon for "stylus scale" will yield many options for less than $20.
You'll typically mount the cartridge, remove the stylus guard, balance the tonearm by positioning the counterweight so that it will remain steady with tonearm parallel to the plinth, then move the counterweight to yield the proper vertical tracking force (VTF) at the stylus as measured by the scale. I believe the VTF for the Bias 2 is 1.75g.
Edit: I may have been wrong about the Bias 2 using the Rega three hole mounting system. If it's a two hole, then yes you'd need to ensure the proper alignment of the cartridge in the head shell. I'd look up a rega alignment protractor online and print it out, FWIW.
You'll typically mount the cartridge, remove the stylus guard, balance the tonearm by positioning the counterweight so that it will remain steady with tonearm parallel to the plinth, then move the counterweight to yield the proper vertical tracking force (VTF) at the stylus as measured by the scale. I believe the VTF for the Bias 2 is 1.75g.
Edit: I may have been wrong about the Bias 2 using the Rega three hole mounting system. If it's a two hole, then yes you'd need to ensure the proper alignment of the cartridge in the head shell. I'd look up a rega alignment protractor online and print it out, FWIW.
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I believe a paper or cardboard template comes with the turntable...at least it did several years ago with my RP1...be VERY careful with the little metal connectors that slip on the pins on the back of the cartridge. If you currently have Rega Carbon on it, they may not be the correct size...cannot remember if they are larger or smaller.
