Interesting that you kept the OC9, I have one on my LP12/Ittok. How do the two players compare - was the LP12 an orginal model?
Hi Chris, what do you like more of the Rega? My recent very short experience with the Sondek has been not so happy
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I have heard photographers describe Leica M cameras and lenses as being ‘hewn from solid’ and the images having a colour and contrast that other makers cannot give you. I do not know whether this is true, but it rings true. The sound of the Planar 8 is hewn from solid for me. It’s complete. In a way it reminds me of when I bought my Nait XS in 2010. The sound was complete, nothing was missing. Similarly the Planar 8.
Rega’s 2mm three point stainless steel shim was fitted at the arm base of my Planar 8, for my OC9.
The Sondek spec was 1986 fluted walnut, Valhalla, Cirkus, Ittok LVII, new belt.
C.
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Congratulations, that’s quite an upgrade! Are the Sort Kone for the Qbase? I wonder how the Valhalla sounds compared to the Norse family.
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I actually prefered my old Sondeks than last one i owned. Congratulations for your new Rega btw.
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@Blacknote hi thanks for the congrats . . it’s a huge leap … the gap between Norse 2 ( my tyr 2) and Valhalla 2 is too huge . Initial hook up 2 hours playback was amazing … need months to fully run in , by then it’s gonna be another level of everything. Btw The TC s are for my streamer 
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When I read his post, I immediately thought : I think Mike Sweatie has an lp12 / itock/ oc9. So I am also curious to know how the P8 compares.
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Very nice Chris. A lovely machine.
If you’ve not read it already, this is a very informative and interesting read.
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Are you going to replace your interconnects as well? I’m glad that you can already experience a big improvement after only 2 hours. I suppose that the Valhalla will mostly settle down after 50-80 hours at least, even though it’ll take much longer to get it fully run in. Are the TC worth buying? Did you experience some resonance problems with your streamer?
@Blacknote … the TC an are an upgrade from the outgoing Isoacoustic . Definitely it better isolate the streamer further 
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That’s a nice looking system. I love the way the colours of the wood from your floor, Fraim and turntable all blend nicely together.
Thank you
Not a very sensible purchase I know but I have always always wanted one and it does sound rather nice. Now need to decide if I want to pair it was a Nait
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Good aren’t they. Drive the 606s very nicely.
Yes, I’m delighted with them and they’ve closed most of the gap between passive and active for me too. So no desire to increase the box count, add a Sigao drive and multiple new speaker cable runs.
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