Description
Using a Goldring GR 1.2 plinth as the base, this plinth was stripped, cleaned and covered top and bottom with a vinyl wrap. These plinths have an edge on them and rubber corners which I think ‘finish’ it off. The original rubber Rega feet were replaced with 4 sprung feet which adds more stability than the 3 footed original design. The electrics and motor were replaced with a proper 24v Rega upgrade kit and powered with a Rega Neo Power Supply Unit so 33 and 45 rpm speeds can be selected, the only difference between this power supply and the latest version is the outer case, the electronics, I am told, are the same. The motor pulley was replaced with a double one and shorter belts used with a Delrin sub platter. A plinth brace was also installed and a SRM Tech acrylic platter was added which can be used without a mat, but I prefer a buffer between my record and the platter, so I used a thin cork and nitryl mat and will also include a felt mat as well. The arm was purchased as a Michell OEM RB303 from a ‘dealer’ but I have always had doubts about it, it definitely resembled a RB303 but is unbadged and the only ‘alteration’ made to it was that someone had soldered a 6 inch length of ‘wire’ to the ‘earth’ which was attached to the LH negative (which Rega seem to like doing), so this had some sort of odd double earthing arrangement, while at the other end of the arm, one of the cartridge connectors fell off and after getting nowhere complaining to the seller, I gave up and rewired the arm properly with Litz silver wire and a single separated earth and used a Din socket to RCA phono plugs for the tonearm cable with an ‘Earth’ cable from Gothic Audio. I also replaced the counterweight with an Iceni version which looks awesome sits much lower down and balances the arm a lot better. The resulting tonearm tracks and works very well. I gave up on using a Rega lid with those dreadful plastic hinges and used a zig-zag ‘thing’ that sits on the platter which keeps some of the dreaded dust off with the added advantage that due to its shape it deters family from plonking stuff on top of it. The Rega Neo Power Supply Unit was bought in a sort of ‘stock clearance’ and was expensive even then. It is amazing that the ‘Rega’ brand name can sell a power supply that allows you to change turntable speed at almost the cost of a original turntable. I have decided that I prefer my speed control on the turntable itself, not at the other end of my desk. Also a pity that it cannot be fitted to ALL Rega turntables so my son’s RP1 could benefit. As you may imagine, all this did cost a considerable amount of money. It was part of my long term project to create an ‘Ultimate Turntable’ using Rega components and with this example, I feel I have taken this as far as I want to, but it would be well worth your time to cost the individual components used to construct this turntable as someone could be getting a bargain. I feel I have proved that Rega components can be reconfigured into amazing configurations, but the cost is questionable so I am going to continue my research with cheaper alternatives. So, here’s the list. Goldring GR1.2 plinth, Tertullus sprung isolation feet, Rega 24v motor and circuitry with NEO CPU (with correct power supply and wires), twin motor pulley, Iceni ‘shorter’ drive belts, Delrin sub platter, Plinth brace, SRM Tech black acrylic platter, Elvon Acoustics platter mats, Michell ‘OEM’ (?) 303 (?Rega RB303) arm-rewired with Litz silver tonearm wire, Iceni counterweight, AT-VM95ML Cartridge, EARTH tonearm cable from Gothic Audio (Din connection to arm phono to Amp) plus the ‘sit-on’ lid, and, vinyl wrap with THUNDERCATS sticker (fairly easy to remove it you don’t like it) and, a record puck as well. You may find extra REGA stuff in the box, added as I package to stop me from trying to build any more of these turntables…it’s an addictive hobby, but not the most expensive…have you seen how much model railway stuff costs these days? …not to mention the cost of dog food! The cartridge itself has seen little use and the VM95 (Black) stylus is brand new so should give no problems. Due to the way I package turntables, you will need to be able to reassemble and set it all up with the tonearm tracking at 2 grams because I pack all components separately so nothing can be damaged in transit, so a familiarity with the construction of Rega turntables would be an advantage So, there it is, a Rega ‘What-ever-it-is’ turntable, complete and honestly described, for sale by auction with no buy it now price and UK only sale. Collection in person recommended but delivery via EVRI at a cost to you of £8.25. Thanks for looking and please bid generously as I have a needy poodle and a demanding support spaniel to look after. Please seem my ‘other items’ for my rather nice PRO-JECT 2XPERIENCE SB DC that I am also selling’On 16-Jun-23 at 14:13:54 BST, seller added the following information: It has been pointed out to me that I have put in the title that the stylus supplied is an AT-VM95ML, while I have photographed it with a VM 96E(black) so, to avoid confusion, the ML stylus is included. I would estimate that this stylus has had 30 hours play, but bear in mind that these are supposed to survive up to 1000 hours play. So there is one cartridge with TWO styli with this. An added bonus. If you read reviews on the styli made for the VM95 range, the ML does not fare that well and surprisingly the stylus most favored is the one I prefer, the XP5. I am also amazed that the answers to most of the questions I am asked are in my description. Dont people read descriptions?
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