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Rega P2

OneMalt

OneMalt

Will work for music
I did a search on the P2 and came up with zilch! Can I assume that the P2 is an updated version of the Planar 2? Does anyone have any experience with the P2? I can get one from a local dealer with the Bias 2 cartridge for a hair under $650. Any thoughts on this Rega cartridge? As always, thanks in advance for your comments and suggestions.
 
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Art K. said:
http://www.soundorg.com/


Try your search again, there is tons of info on the P2 out there.
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Actually, I meant here, in the TT forum. I used "P2" and got nothing. "Planar 2" is a different story which is why I was wondering if the P2 is much different than the Planar 2. Online research has pointed out some material and construction differences. It's hard though to get a sense of how these differences affect the use and sound of the TT.

I have talked to the local dealer but you guys tell it like it is with no agenda - you're not trying to sell me anything.
 
I haven't heard the new P2, but Rega's website has information and the owner's manual available. Of course, you've already got the best information if you can hear it at a local dealer (or is it a non-stocked item he'd have to order?).

I happen to really like Rega turntables. All of them excel at communicating what to me is the heart of music--it's rhythm and pacing. I did have a chance to hear the cheaper Rega P1 in the same system as a much more expensive SOTA Sapphire with Origin Live upgraded RB250 tonearm, and while the SOTA was better at creating "sounds" (i.e., a larger soundstage, deeper & more powerful bass), the P1 was easily the better at letting the drama and tension of the performance come through, whether listening to Holst's Ode to Death or The Legend of John Henry's Hammer by Johnny Cash.
 
jrtrent said:
I haven't heard the new P2, but Rega's website has information and the owner's manual available. Of course, you've already got the best information if you can hear it at a local dealer (or is it a non-stocked item he'd have to order?).

I happen to really like Rega turntables. All of them excel at communicating what to me is the heart of music--it's rhythm and pacing. I did have a chance to hear the cheaper Rega P1 in the same system as a much more expensive SOTA Sapphire with Origin Live upgraded RB250 tonearm, and while the SOTA was better at creating "sounds" (i.e., a larger soundstage, deeper & more powerful bass), the P1 was easily the better at letting the drama and tension of the performance come through, whether listening to Holst's Ode to Death or The Legend of John Henry's Hammer by Johnny Cash.
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:withstpd:

Good post!
 
OneMalt said:
Actually, I meant here, in the TT forum. I used "P2" and got nothing. "Planar 2" is a different story which is why I was wondering if the P2 is much different than the Planar 2. Online research has pointed out some material and construction differences. It's hard though to get a sense of how these differences affect the use and sound of the TT.

I have talked to the local dealer but you guys tell it like it is with no agenda - you're not trying to sell me anything.
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There are actually many posts here discussing the merrits of the P2 but for some reason a search shows no matches. Maybe search strings need to be 3 or more letters? Anyone know of a way around the problem?

I think Roy Gandy's approach to designing the P2 was from a what sounds best approach rather than a purely a technical engineering one. Some of his solutions seem unconventional but to my ears (and P2 sales) they seem to work very well. I use a Goldring P2 clone and thinks it is more musical sounding than my Technics 1210mkII but unfortunately the Rega hums with my favorite Grado cartridge. I can't speak for the Bias 2 cartridge but can tell you the Denon DL-110 MC cartridge sounds especially good on my Goldring.
 
The AK search requires 3 or more characters. The Google search provides you with almost 250 threads.
 
Thanks luvinvinyl, I never saw the "Search AK with Google" button till you pointed it out. That should do the job for you OneMalt.
 
the planar 2 is a nice table..but $650 US is a bit too much imho...with a bit of research and patience you should score at least a planar 3 with rb300 arm for that...or even better if buying used
 
melofelo said:
the planar 2 is a nice table..but $650 US is a bit too much imho...with a bit of research and patience you should score at least a planar 3 with rb300 arm for that...or even better if buying used
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melofelo,

The $650 is inclusive with a Bias 2 cart. Still too much money?
 
hm..yes :scratch2:..personally i think $650 is waay too much even for one brand new in the box...that's approx £400 in money i understand...

when you can still find something like a Rotel RP855 selling for £50 or $80 US....then $650 is not only too much for a planar 2 but also too much for a planar 3...because the rotel will pretty much match or beat either of them sonically..despite having a less substantially built arm..

do some research and familiarise yourself with the better used tables from the late 70's to the early 90's...then go from there...there are some sleepers still out there that can be had for peanuts that will still give anything new for less than $1000 good competition if sound quality alone is your priority..
 
Not to get into the price subject but for the sake of clarification, the Planar 2 came with the RB200 (Lustre) arm, an S shaped silver arm. It also had wood trim around the black plinth. The P2 had an all black plinth and came with the RB250 arm. This comes from my having a Planar 2 which I have fitted with an RB300 arm and a set of Audio Technica adjustable feet.
 
On the subject of price, I think a person first has to come to grips with how they want to assemble a hifi system. I keep learning that it's best to buy on the basis of audition--a piece of equipment is good value if it sounds better, by my criteria, than the competition and if it is of sufficient quality to satisfy my musical expectations. Is a particular, used sample of the Rotel RP-855 as good or better than a new P2? Unless I had an opportunity to audition it next to the Rega, I have no way of knowing. I would rather spend $650 on something I know I like than risk a fraction of that on something I haven't heard.

Another thing to consider is whether a 'table meets your expectations. $650 isn't much to pay if it will make you happy for the next decade or two. On the other hand, it could be money wasted if you really need P5 or P9 performance to satisfy you. When I sold my Valhalla-equipped LP12 towards a new 1993 model with the Cirkus ugrades, I downgraded to the Basik power supply, intending to add the Lingo at a later date. What I found was that the Cirkus LP12/Basik/Ittok LVIII easily met my expectations, and I'm still using it in that form. Yes I can hear that the Lingo is better, that the Ekos arm is better, and that the Keel takes it to another level again, but I don't need them to enjoy my records--I'm at a point of satisfaction. Before buying a P2, I would want to audition not only the competition at that price point, but models at higher performance levels to see if that's the level of playback that is going to satisfy me long term. Even if not, I might still buy a P2 if the dealer has a reasonably painless upgrade policy.

I have to admit to a bias against used turntables. Maybe I'm too paranoid, but taking my LP12 as an example, its sound is too easy to compromise by failing to keep the bearing well filled with Linn's own oil, by transporting the 'table without supporting the inner platter to keep the spindle off the thrust plate, by mounting a cartridge without first removing the arm, by overtightening the screws that hold the armboard in place, etc., etc. I might buy used from a dealer I trust who backs up the product with a warranty, but even then, parts do wear out, and buying new might still be the most cost-effective when you consider how long it will provide optimal performance versus something that's already logged many thousands of hours of playing time.
 
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