There are some very interesting comments here and after reading through the thread I realised that my speakers had been in situ for about 5 years, The positioning was fine but they had not been disconnected since they were set up all those years ago so I followed the unplug and plug recommendations (after switch off!!) to clean the contacts.
So the NBLs had a much needed clean up of the input and the connections to the HF, mids and bass units. The result was at least a black box upgrade and a half. Cost = zero, result amazing.
I have to ask, why such an expensive cartridge on such a “cheap” table? Either got a deal or plaining on a significant upgrade in the future? As a previous modded RP6 owner, I can say that it wasn’t getting everything out of what the SL cartridge could offer, I now have the ML which is a rather large step up, so I can’t imagine how much a P3 is holding back a Umani. One would think if you like Rega, a P10 should be what your looking at for that cartridge.
I listen to a lot of vinyl and after a lot of research and finding source first thinking reading this forum went with the best Hana I could get.My P3 has the RB300 arm which is very very good.
My next upgrade will be a power supply for my P3.
Source first is a good way to look at things but for vinyl, the cartridge alone isn’t just the source the table & phono stage also play a large roll in that. My advise if you really want to see what that cartridge is able to do, don’t waste any more money on upgrading the P3, your money is far better spent on upgrading the table. A better table will have a large impact on sound, as I said that level of cartridge deserves a P10. With a P3, it will be holding back the cartridge so much that the difference between a SL, ML & Unami will likely be rather small (at least significantly smaller then vs a table that is able to actually extract what each of those cartridges can offer)
Hi @pinkers1 - I am not surprised the 500 was such an ear-opener!
As an ex-RP3 owner in the dim and distant past ( it was and remains great VFM), I too would expect you to really hear what your cartridge can do on a better turntable.
On the other hand, if it is satisfying to your ears and if you don’t want to consider options atm, I am not sure I need to try spending your money for you.
Mega
Hifi in the house - Log cabin in garden
NAC92/90 - NAC52/250
NAP250 - NAP135s
Valhalla - Lingo1
Just adding an NDX
Spending on hifi upgrades - Spending on Motorbike adventures
Really good
Lingo1 - Lingo4
Pre Cirkus - Cirkus/Majik
Cirkus/Majik - Karousel/Kore
Troika - DVK17D3 Karat
Naim cards - Prefix
Worst is recently. DS 10 streamer. Absolutely top notch sound virtually unusable with the supplied app. It could be used as a roon end point, I don’t want roon. I’ve relegated it to bedroom duty and set it as a squeezebox device. That way I can use the sqbox remote.
Surely there is a “sense of solidity and a tightening up of key strokes along with unrivalled weight and authority” with the R-Com. Of course all this is dependent on a suitably robust coffee table and sufficient grip strength to get the most from it.