Rega P6 setup upgrade questions

[panjin79]

Hello! Looking for a little advice. Currently running an Exact 2 on my P6 through a Schiit Mani. The Exact is almost ready for replacement, and I figured I'll improve on the Mani at the same time. I like the Exact, but I feel like I can do better. I listen to a lot of jazz, post-punk, rock, and extreme metal. I generally go for a neutral tone through loudspeakers and use a tube amp with headphones if I want to warm things up.

My budget is about $1,000 +/- $500 or so. For the cart, I've been thinking about either going with an Ortofon Bronze (more money for the phono stage) or upgrading to a Rega Ania. For the pre, current options I've come up with are:
1. The Puffin. I'm fine that it's a DSP box, not an analog purist.
2. Rega Fono MC with the Ania.
3. Used Graham Slee Reflex

I'm not concerned about matching to my amp, which is an early 00s Harman Kardon AV Amp into a HK power amp feeding Maggie 1.6s. The HKs will be the next to go. Right now, I think the biggest bang I'll get is the new phono stage.

Curious to get some opinions and suggestions...

 

[krautmaster]

I had been playing my Rega P3 through the phono section on my Parasound P6 preamp, last week I got a Parasound JC3 Jr phono amp, it made a huge difference in sound quality/clarity on my P3 with Exact cartridge

 

[Audiofreak71]

I have the Graham Slee Acession and Elevator Exp and can say that GS makes exceptional sounding phono stages with excellent build quality.


Audiofreak71

 

[AikiAudio]

Hello! Looking for a little advice. Currently running an Exact 2 on my P6 through a Schiit Mani. The Exact is almost ready for replacement, and I figured I'll improve on the Mani at the same time. I like the Exact, but I feel like I can do better...

Hello there,

I also have a P6 with the Exact. It is a killer combo to me. Right now I have a Hana SL installed on my P6 and it sounds amazing as well. I also have used a AT VM750sh and the AT OC9xsh. Everything I have tried on the P6 so far sounded great.

I find the Exact very good as well. I have a feeling that even though you will get a new cart you will end up switching back and forth from the Exact.

I am sure the 2M bronze is a great cart. I got the 2M Blue and I find it very good. Based on my experience with the Exact the Ania should be great as well.

I think you can’t go wrong with any of your cartridges choices.

My phono preamp is a Nova II. It is a very good preamp and of course, you can always go higher quality depending on our budget.

 

[panjin79]

I had been playing my Rega P3 through the phono section on my Parasound P6 preamp, last week I got a Parasound JC3 Jr phono amp, it made a huge difference in sound quality/clarity on my P3 with Exact cartridge

I'm looking at replacing my amp mess with a Parasound. Can I ask what kind of cart and how the P6 phono stage sounded?

 

[krautmaster]

The Parasound P6 phono section was fine with my P3/ Exact 2 cart, better in fact than most amps that have an onboard phono section. With the addition of the JC3 Jr the bass tightened up (I could hear kick drums on tunes that I had never heard before on vinyl or CD) and the soundstage became wider and DEEP, the individual instruments well separated- it sounds like being in a concert hall rather than just listening to a stereo.

 

[DavidTT]

Planar 6 user here. Love the machine and use a Grado Gold/8mz on it through a Cambridge Duo to an NAD amp. If it were me, of the choices you presented I'd go with the Rega pre and the Ania. I have to think that Rega gear is very likely to work well with other Rega gear. My only hesitation is that Rega equipment has become very expensive in the US relative to its competition. If that doesn't matter to you, I'd go for the Rega gear and MC cartridge.

 

[StuartB]

I also have a Rega RP6 and the Exact cartridge. My sense is that there is some synergy between the Rega products. I bought the table used, and the original owner had upgraded with all the GrooveTracer mods. I have also begun wondering what I will do when the Exact begins to wear out. I figure I will probably consult Gene Rubin as I have bought several things from him. He Carrie’s Rega and also Carrie’s several other cartridge lines such as Hana. I have never used an MC cartridge but my phono stage can handle one. I would definitely consider the Rega MC offerings.
I will be interested in seeing what you decide.