Rega P1 buy?

[gary7]

I have a chance to buy a Rega P1 with an Ortofon 5E cart for a little bit more than 1/2 a Franklin. Main negative is the clear cover has some very visible scratches. Worth it?

 

[Art K.]

The P1 wasn't a particularly good deck. The RP1 is far better, arm and all. For that price though, it may be worth a punt.

 

[Wolfe64]

Hi Art,
Why do you say that the P1 wasn't a particularly good deck ?
I'm not questioning your opinion, just trying to expand my knowledge

Mark

 

[Sandbar92]

I've had a p1 which I bought new about 7 years ago. Over time it's been "hot-rodded" with a glass platter, white belt, metal subplatter, homemade cork mat, and a Nagaoka MP110 cart. I'm not an audiophile but the table sounds damn good to me. People are always telling me that they are hearing things in familiar songs they've never heard before. If I had to make the decision all over again I'd do the same thing.

 

[Art K.]

Hi Art,
Why do you say that the P1 wasn't a particularly good deck ?
I'm not questioning your opinion, just trying to expand my knowledge

Mark

The arm was not as good (by a long shot) as the one that followed it on the RP1. Same with the platter. The plastic platter on the RP1 works in just the way it was intended and the MDF one on the RP1 is just a cost saving one. Do a little research and you will discover the differences. But, like I said, if the P1 is in reasonably good shape it could be worth a try for cheap.

 

[gary7]

Just picked the P1 up for $55. Listening to PF MLOR. Sounds very good even with only the lowly OMB-5E. Will play with it awhile and decide what to do with it. I do have a platter & plinth for a P2. Will any of these add anything to the P1?

 

[Wolfe64]

The arm was not as good (by a long shot) as the one that followed it on the RP1. Same with the platter. The plastic platter on the RP1 works in just the way it was intended and the MDF one on the RP1 is just a cost saving one. Do a little research and you will discover the differences. But, like I said, if the P1 is in reasonably good shape it could be worth a try for cheap.

Thanks for the info, I never even thought to do a search for a comparison.
I shouldn't post before my morning coffee kicks in !!!

Mark

 

[gary7]

Pics

Couple pics.

 

[Art K.]

I would take the record weight off as that isn't how a Rega is intended to be used.

 

[gary7]

I've read that, But it looks cool in the pics.

 

[Art K.]

I've read that, But it looks cool in the pics.

True dat!

 

[gary7]

A few months back I briefly had a Pro-Ject Debut Carbon with a Ortofon 2M Red. I think I like the Rega better. I was not that impressed with the Red. Plus it was 5 times the price.

 

[Sandbar92]

Just picked the P1 up for $55. Listening to PF MLOR. Sounds very good even with only the lowly OMB-5E. Will play with it awhile and decide what to do with it. I do have a platter & plinth for a P2. Will any of these add anything to the P1?

Nice buy! Enjoy it!!!!

 

[Art K.]

A few months back I briefly had a Pro-Ject Debut Carbon with a Ortofon 2M Red. I think I like the Rega better. I was not that impressed with the Red. Plus it was 5 times the price.

I had a Rega RP1 and I liked it better than the Pro-Ject 1Xpression I had a few years back. Gandy and the team are brilliant at getting a lot from very little.

 

[frankbooth]

Price was right! Nice

 

[ScaleAutoArt]

Just picked the P1 up for $55. Listening to PF MLOR. Sounds very good even with only the lowly OMB-5E. Will play with it awhile and decide what to do with it. I do have a platter & plinth for a P2. Will any of these add anything to the P1?

You cannot go wrong at that price! And for less then those crappy plastic tables that just eat records. MF will be proud of you :yes:

 

[scorpio333]

I had a loaner P1 for about 6 months. I had a so so relationship with it. It played records, but for me it lacked soul. It also lacked the ability to keep the dust cover upright. It only has three legs. The speakers would pop every time you had to shut it off to flip/change a record. Get past that and it sounds fine. Can't recall what cart was on it, but it tracked very well and had some staging to it.

Look at the crap people sell on craigslist for $100, the P1 would likely be much better than some dusty ragged, missing dust cover junk I see. I wouldn't call it junk, for some it's a fine table for others it's a stepping stone on the way up.

 

[Art K.]

I had a loaner P1 for about 6 months. I had a so so relationship with it. It played records, but for me it lacked soul. It also lacked the ability to keep the dust cover upright. It only has three legs. The speakers would pop every time you had to shut it off to flip/change a record. Get past that and it sounds fine. Can't recall what cart was on it, but it tracked very well and had some staging to it.

Look at the crap people sell on craigslist for $100, the P1 would likely be much better than some dusty ragged, missing dust cover junk I see. I wouldn't call it junk, for some it's a fine table for others it's a stepping stone on the way up.

For best playback you slide the dust cover off. There is a reason for the three legs, even their high end models have three. Read up on it.

 

[gary7]

I have a platter from a P2 (made from the same material I think) It is a little heavier but also a little taller. Would this be beneficial due to extra mass or will the extra height throw off the VTA enough to degrade the sound?

 

[Art K.]

I have a platter from a P2 (made from the same material I think) It is a little heavier but also a little taller. Would this be beneficial due to extra mass or will the extra height throw off the VTA enough to degrade the sound?

Dunno, try it.