we are looking at a family record player. While the dream likely is a LP12 Klimax walnut fluted, I am not sure it will work well with kids and suspended woodfloors. Also my wife will not be ok with a wallmount shelf. Rega is also close to my heart and first source ever was a RP2 long ago.
Would love some thoughts on what RP10 to focus on. The pickup choice (aphelion vs apheta) and riaa choice (aura, aria, nos) have very different price levels.
Whats the sweetspot package? What gives best PRAT? What shows up well vs my ND555. I read a Naia review that its ātoo politeā, so not sure if it gets better with higher spend..
Hi Lars, I am perhaps not qualified to answer properly since I am an owner of a Planar 8.
Coming from a couple of modest LP12s (never more than Valhalla and Cirkus) what the Planar 8 has is the timing that makes music, music. No doubt the Planar 10 is the same, only more so.
I cannot comment on cartridges and phonostages you mention (because I have an Audio Technica and Stageline S) other than to say that my dealer once played me a Rega RP8 with Apheta into an Ios phonostage and it was so good, it set the whole Rega ball rolling for me.
I had a P10 with Apheta and Aria phonostage. Itās a superb TT. Bear in mind that it has no suspension and may well jump on very bouncy floors. They work really well on the matching wall shelf, which is a tiny little thing and very discreet, and is what Iād guide you towards. Also bear in mind that the stylus is very vulnerable, as the deck has only a skeletal cover.
If this is a priority then I would look at something robust and easy to use (direct drive?)ā¦I would say a Technics (I have one myself), but perhaps similar from Denon or Thorens?
Good point! I have looked at those but am not keen on them. Expect its too much of a sonic compromise but maybe you are right and its the only thing that will work
Many thanks! Good to hear for sure. My wife will not accept the wall bracket, so need to homedemo first. I have stable hifi furniture (clic), but is there something I can put on top to better support the player?
if that will likely not do the trick then need to reconsider
Iām not sure the sonic compromise applies anymore; different yes but better/worse is subjective.
For what itās worth, my Technics 1210 GR2 with a half-decent (not expensive) MM cart sounds fantastic through the Naim phono and pre - very engaging and I enjoy it just as much as the 333.
The Aura stage is much better than Aria, which basically is a Fonox2 with better PSU.
With such a generous budget Iād really look elsewhere, even being a big Rega fan.
The best deck Iāve heard was Vertere, no idea about suspension though.
Next deck to consider would be Technics 1300.
I hate to mention Naim Solstice as I donāt like the looks of this Clearaudio built deck. But some say its on discount here, there and everywhere. Wonder why ?
Iād certainly do a few home demos, with such budget Iād guess some dealers would scream āhello & hereā
I have stuck with my RP10 for a few reasons, not least because I went to the factory to see it being built and then sat in on the final testing. I tried a P10 with Apheta 3 but preferred my RP10 with Apheta 2. Iāve since gone to an Apheta 3 but have gone back to my Apheta 2 as I prefer itās more rhythmic and engaging performance. I reckon it would take a Naiad or Naia to make me change, but Iād want to listen first!
Love my Technics 1300G I note Mikes bother Peter has the Denon DP-3000NE on sale at Ā£1799 which I was also considering at the time I purchased the Technics looks great value imo.
Sorry, I canāt help regarding things to put on top. Youāll have to get a home demo and then determine whether the deck is affected by footfall, dancing etc.
It may be fine. Back in the day my dealer did a test on a Rega - they put a plank of wood between two Linn Kans on their stands, put the Rega in the middle of the plank, set it playing and then hit the plank with a hammer. The Rega continued to play happily.
The sweet spot in the rega range is the P8 i would say.
But with kids around i would probably go with a 6 and a full lid, just to ve more kid safe.
Or you could get a secondhand RP10, and use the base/full lid that fits around the skeleton turntable base.
Rega P6RS is a good option. Bit of a wait at the moment because of demand. A Rega P10 is a lot better but the family friendly aspect may force you elsewhere or buy 2 decks, one for family, one for you.
Hi Lars, here is your same thread opened on october 2025. You canāt get decided?
āHi all,
I have nd555 as main source and 552/300, but to my surprice the family now likes idea of getting a record player for causal listening. Its really great with the nostalgic feeling of analogue and listening experience of taking a full record rather than zapping on tidal and spotify.
many many years ago I had a rega planar 2 so have limited experience. What are thoughts on a good player for this purpose that plays well, and can also be operated by family without being very sensitive.
Think they also prefer a āclassicā look ie no weird stuff so initially looked at eg rega planar 6 or entry lp12 majik.
any thoughts highly welcome. Its the first time my wife ever made a suggestion for the hifi ā
If you want similar level for analogue era albums as your Nd555, i would recommend a second hand Rega Rp10 ( more analogue sounding vs the P10, and a solid dust cover), Lyra Delos cart and Rega Aura phono .
Then put a 3cm height granite shelf under it and you will be able to dance near it when playing.
Not sure thatās a comment Iād make. Iād say it was one of the most āanalogue master tapeā sounding record decks Iāve ever heard. I have a classic LP12 with Aro and Armageddon but if I was starting again the Naia would certainly be my new weapon of choice.
ā
