Moving on from Rega…

New?

Does the OP need dealer support for post purchase of the TT? If so, that might determine what is purchased and from whom.

Second-hand of course! :slightly_smiling_face:

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For 3k, my choice:

Platine Technics SL-1200GEG-S

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@frenchrooster Why not a P8?

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Now a P3 and say a P8 is entirely different outcome. You’d experience much more yet from your new setup. I’d not write off Rega because you base decision on a P3 (older ? vintage ?) Before going for the other mentioned (only 1300G would be my take) try listen to a P8 at your dealer.

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I moved from P3 with Neo PSU to P8. It was a big and worthwhile upgrade. I then moved on from Rega to other decks which I found to sound better for me (SME, Roksan, PTP6).

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+1 for a Nottingham Analouge deck; the ace space is a great bargain and so too is a hyperspace if you can stretch that far.

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Thanks for all the comments! Few recurring answers and a question or 2.

Why not just get a better Rega? - Because there are so many turntables and brands, I wondered if I was looking at a very narrow set of options by only sticking to Rega. So the next logical question is “Is Rega still the king of “Bang for Buck”? And given everyone seems to have raised prices, inc. Rega, maybe this is the time and upgrade point where I should look around. Whd for were some honest “Tried this, had issues, ended up here” responses as well as the more biased (in a good way) ones. And I’ve got the latter in spadesL Why specifically the Technics 1300g on the list? - seen some great deep dives on it, looked like something I should hear for myself, but always happy to hear other opinions.

I hope that helps? Cheers again and keep em coming! I knew this was the right place to ask!

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Over the years i have owned quite a few turntables. By far the best have been Technics and my current Michell Orbe SE. I had a Technics SL150 with an SME 3009 for the best part of 30 years and it was a fantastic combination. Modern Technics decks are even better than the SL150 and although i have not listened to any of them, i just know they are good.

My current Michell Orbe SE was preceded by a Michell Gyro SE. It was a fantastic deck with a Rega RB303 arm. You won’t get one new with your budget, but you can and should go the pre-loved route. There are plenty up for sale in the UK as i type, so it won’t be difficult to find one complete with arm and cartridge within your £3000 budget. You won’t get an Orbe for your budget though, even with no arm or cartridge :slightly_smiling_face:

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@Fletch i am in NYC. My dealer carries Linn and Rega. I had a Linn for 20 years before switching to Rega. As my disabilities increased, the problems posed by its sprung suspension required progressively more service. When considering a new TT now, my dealer felt I should go with Linn b/c of its hinged dust cover. I also did not want to get into endless TT upgrades that Linn offered. For me, once and done is best. In order to consider other turntables, I would have had to reach out to other dealers, which were not willing to offer the level of home support I needed. There were many factors that for me, pushed me to another Rega. Of all my system upgrade choices, a new TT proved the most nuanced in terms of factors to consider. Lastly the cost differential between Linn and Regs of equivalent specs proved also to be a significant factor.

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He wants a departure from Rega, I understood. But yes, a P8, why not. Not sure the P8 will be better…..

To reiterate the hive mind advice; stick with Rega but go as far as you can. Ask yourself, ‘why have I stayed with the P3 for so long?’ Key to your next move is auditioning. Try some better Regas and do some comparisons. Planar 2 to 3 was a wasted step in my journey. LP12 was a step change of gargantuan proportions and is infinitely upgradable. I’m not trying to get you in the Linn camp, just expressing how you might want to think about future changes. good luck, and let us know how you get on!

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@Loki Assuming the OP does note by a Linn and finally decides to stay with Rega, they might put off upgrading until they can get the best Regs they can afford.

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Your upgrade will be a considered spend. Have a proper listen. If you want to stay in the Rega world then it’s P8/ ND9 all the way. P6 is better than the P3RS but the cost for such an improvement makes no sense. I always say you need to advance 2 steps up the Rega ladder i.e P1 to P3 or P2 to P6. I used to be able to hear cogging on a technics but their Delta Sigma motor really has sorted it out. I auditioned a Technics and was very impressed. The speed accuracy of a DD TT can’t be ignored and detachable headshells are important to some. But I only have 1 cartridge and I believe that arms shouldn’t have any added contact points. We can agree or disagree about what this means in the real world but the real world truth that can’t be denied is you want a guarantee to justify your expenditure. Technics 2 years Rega lifetime guarantee.

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‘Linn’s unlimited upgrade path’ is nonsense, as you could feel unsatisfied even Rega tells you it’s their top, or satisfied even Linn tells you to upgrade. It’s just all on your head.

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I really like the idea of the 1300G without the pitch controls. Since almost no one at this level uses them anyway. The only problem is, the 1300G, and it’s baby 1500C both also did away with the cue light.

The cue light is one of those things like an arm lift lever: once you have it, it’s impossible to give up. It’s just too useful, especially in a dim room.

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Yeah completely nonsense.

Crazy prices and hundreds of combination makes a LP12 no longer an LP12.

Demand for new and often adjustment while an extra “upgrade” offered is understandable a no-go for many non fanbois.

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Okay, not a Linn owner true the upgrades are constant but it’s not mandatory, other TTs are available.

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I agree, the 1300 G looks better. I would choose it over the one I posted.