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Rega vs. Audio Technica cartridges. SQ per $ invested.

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DLStryker

Active Member
Are Rega cartridges over priced in comparison to Audio Technica cartridges? Asking because I am 45 years into audio and completely new to TT's. I currently have a Technics SL-Q3, Fluance RT85 and Rega RP6.

With my limited knowledge, it seems the Audio Technica AT-OC9XML ($649) is as good as the Rega Ania Pro ($1,225). Any thoughts on this comparison? I am in the market for a cartridge.

Audio Technica AT-OC9XML--Boron cantilever. Nude, microline profile.
Rega Ania Pro--Aluminum cantilever. Rega's nude, "Vital" profile
 
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I agree with your assessment. :thumbsup:

There is nothing at all wrong with REGA carts but they are just way too expensive - given the alternatives.

Don't disregard the DENON DL-110 MC, as it is a legendary performer on the TECHNICS arms and the REGA arm and its variants.

We have found best results running with between 1k and 5k Impedance Loading, so if you have a flexible phono stage, the DENON can bring even more to the table.

The baby DENON also has a legendary long run-in period - like 15-30 hours of play - so keep that in mind.
(Almost binned ours from new... big mistake! :biggrin: )

Also, the DENON DL-110 rebuilds very nicely.

After a tragic accident at only 150-hours, we had ours rebuilt with a Boron cantilever and a 5/15um Elliptical stylus.

It now gives our best, far costlier carts a run for their money.

BORON DENON DL-110 A.png

Above is a shot after the rebuild.

As it was before the rebuild, this cart is once again our superb daily runner!
 
Rega carts are vastly over priced in the U.S. for the sound quality they give: I had a couple Rega P3's that came with their $675 EXACT 2 cart which were total shite (worth about $150). I tried an inexpensive AT-VM95ML which sounded far better. I sold one of the P3s and converted the other one into an all acrylic table using only the Rega RB330 tone arm, motor and PSU. It has an AT VM-540ML cart on it with a RigB metal body and sounds marvelous... try any other cart but a Rega, they are not worth the money they want for them.
109_3939.jpg109_3943.JPG
 
Yes, You are correct.

Audio Technica produces higher quality cartridges with more advanced features at a lower price.

It's called "Economy of Scale" The more you make the cheaper it costs to make the same item.

Friend bought a Hana cartridge that was over 1,000$ and does Not have a Boron cantilever, Nor a Nude MicroLine stylus.

I have the AT-OC9XML ($600) and it's an incredible cartridge with a Boron cantilever and a Nude Micro Line needle.

Took my already amazing turntable to another level...

wilzTBb.jpeg

https://imgur.com/Qer6gHQ
 
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DLStryker said:
Thank you all for the responses!

I have gone ahead and ordered a Audio Technica AT-OC9XML. Boron cantilever. Nude, microline profile. $534 shipped to my front door. MUCH less than a similar cart from Rega.

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Good luck with the new cartridge. You probably already know this — careful alignment is critical with these microline cartidges.

Take your time setting it up, and you'll get the most out of that stylus.

:thumbsup:
 
Rega's ND3 & ND5 cartridges seem to offer a decent bang for the buck. But the their older cartridges would not be my first choice. Maybe when buying one of their new tables, since they offered a huge discount.

The most recent version of Rega's Planar 2 and 3 turntables was a big improvement in terms of value over the previous version. They have finally got around to bringing their cartridges up par now based on press and personal reviews I've read. I might buy one of their ND3's for my Planar 2 myself.

Audio Tecnica has a long history of building some of the best bang for the buck cartridges. Including their Rega Branded Carbon cartridge that came with my Planar 2.
 
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charles 1973 said:
Audio Tecnica has a long history of building some of the best bang for the buck cartridges. Including their Rega Branded Carbon cartridge that came with my Planar 2.
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And which is just a rebranded AT3600L, possibly with a slightly softer suspension. The markup is remarkable. I just bought a lot of 20 of the AT3600L at 8.30 USD a piece inc. shipping for use when restoring turntables. A Rega Carbon costs 7 times that in these parts.
 
DLStryker said:
Thank you all for the responses!

I have gone ahead and ordered a Audio Technica AT-OC9XML. Boron cantilever. Nude, microline profile. $534 shipped to my front door. MUCH less than a similar cart from Rega.

View attachment 3780377
Click to expand...

Its a really nice cart for the money. I have most of the AT MC carts. All seem to offer a lot of performance for the dollar spent.

At some point you may want to look into a set of Sony SUTs to run the AT cart into.
 
mcgjohn said:
Its a really nice cart for the money. I have most of the AT MC carts. All seem to offer a lot of performance for the dollar spent.

At some point you may want to look into a set of Sony SUTs to run the AT cart into.
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I will look into the Sony SUTs. I am going to start with the Schiit Skoll.
 
Hi, Hang on a minute, you are putting far to much money for the cart to be used with all of those decks.

Especially for the AT cart which has a microline stylus. With this type of stylus, to get the full S/Q from it you need an arm with adjustable height so the stylus rake angle can be set to 92 degrees.

The Rega MC should be OK with your Rega deck, as it has only got a low level elliptical cart. The cart has good reviews but as you say is over priced and definitely to good for your other 2 decks.

Until you upgrade your arm / arms I would not spend over $400 on any cart for those deck & any cart with a Shibata or Micro Line stylus will not give their best until you get an arm with height adjustment.

Plus you also need to check that the carts compliance is suitable for each arms Eff mass.

Cheers
 
tabarddn51 said:
Especially for the AT cart which has a microline stylus. With this type of stylus, to get the full S/Q from it you need an arm with adjustable height so the stylus rake angle can be set to 92 degrees.
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The Rega RP6 tonearm will work perfectly with the AT-OC9X line. I have the OC9XML on my Rega RB303 tonearm.

VTA is adjustable... by installing the proper shims, which you can buy on e-b@y and other sites.
 
VTA is adjustable... by installing the proper shims, which you can buy on e-b@y and other sites.

Yep, can do it like that roughly, But how many people actually do that, I wonder.

Cheers
 
tabarddn51 said:
VTA is adjustable... by installing the proper shims, which you can buy on e-b@y and other sites.

Yep, can do it like that roughly, But how many people actually do that, I wonder.

Cheers
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When I bought a Rega P2, i saw that the arm height was set for the Rega Carbon, which has a non-standard height (most cartridges are taller).

Thus, to install a different cartridge, i needed a shim. Considering the Rega Carbon is used on the P1, P2, and perhaps some P3, my suspicion is that many people have bought the shims only for installing alternate cartidges on their Regas.

Rega now makes official 3-point shims, i think they didn't make shims in the past.
 
flavio81 said:
When I bought a Rega P2, i saw that the arm height was set for the Rega Carbon, which has a non-standard height (most cartridges are taller).

Thus, to install a different cartridge, i needed a shim. Considering the Rega Carbon is used on the P1, P2, and perhaps some P3, my suspicion is that many people have bought the shims only for installing alternate cartidges on their Regas.

Rega now makes official 3-point shims, i think they didn't make shims in the past.
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Yep, the AT3600L/Rega Carbon is a bit lower than most cartridges and I have had to shim it by 2 mm when used in Philips turntables. I made the headshell shims from brass so also got some extra mass which the cartridge likes.
 
flavio81 said:
Rega now makes official 3-point shims, i think they didn't make shims in the past.
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I was a late-comer to Rega, not owning one until buying the RP3 (predecessor to the current Planar 3), and mine never needed a spacer because none of the non-Rega cartridges I tried met Rega's standard, "The only time a spacer is necessary to raise the arm height is if the rear of a cartridge is hitting the record whilst playing."

I do believe, though, that Rega has made spacers available for quite a long time. They currently list a 2mm spacer for older arms (prior to the 3-point design), and I've read comments in other forums going back to 1999 that mention Rega offering both 2mm and 4mm thicknesses.

Rega's website currently has, "Stainless 2mm shim used to raise an older Rega tonearm. It is possible to stack shims if more height is required. More than 4mm adjustment requires the sleeved arm nut to mount the arm securely." Sadly, there is also an announcement at The Sound Organisation dated 2018 saying, "Unfortunately, the sleeved arm nut accessory is to be discontinued. Used on early RB tonearms (that used a single threaded mount) this sleeved nut was only required if arm height spacers were required when using non Rega cartridges. Sleeved Nut were used for owners who need more than 4mm of VTA rise on an legacy arm."

I no longer see the Rega variable height VTA adjuster at Rega's website, so apparently it is also discontinued, but it looks like Analog Seduction still has some, their ad saying, "Rega have announced a simple, accurate and cost effective solution to VTA adjustment for their range of 3 point mount arms. Designed with the RB100, RB251 and RB301 in mind and also suitable for the RB700 and RB1000. This attractive unique design offers customers 2mm, 4mm, 6mm and 8mm adjustment in one simple spacer. Supplied with a set of 30mm screws for use with 6mm and 8mm adjustment to ensure excellent mounting stability to the plinth. Made from highly rigid glass filled plastic this spacer can be easily fitted in under 3 minutes. Simply remove the arm from the plinth, thread the spacer over the external arm lead then re-fit the arm using the required height setting. Simple!" They have a caveat in bold print, "This will not fit the new Planar 2 and 3 turntables."
 
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