Vinyl: Records In Stock! Rega Phono Products

The resurgence of vinyl has been much fun! The quality of the records available today is much better than the ones we had years ago. The quality of the playback equipment is better too.

We’re now stocking a nice array of vinyl. Stop in to have a look!

In the hey day of record playing we were always trying to find great cartridges to work their best in the right tonearm. You could find cartridges, like the classic Supex 900, that sounded good in a Grace 707 arm, but didn’t sound nearly as good in a Black Widow. And then there were those goofy undersized pins. Even if you bought a Supex 900 and put it in a Grace 707 arm, much skill was required by the installer to get the most out of the combo. I go pale recalling some of those wrestling matches. With Rega these days, we don’t have to go there!

Rega introduced their classic Planar 2 turntable in 1975. It was an instant budget classic. The higher end Planar 3 turntable debuted when we opened Audio Emporium in 1977. What a great coincidence! In offering this one-two punch in 1977, we really had a leg up on the competition- who was still selling flimsy plastic tables for the most part.

Rega bought tonearms from Lustre in these early years with respectable results. But in 1983 they really broke through the roof with the introduction of their own tonearms. The one piece arms of their own design and manufacture brought them from good value to, competitive with virtually anything. The Rega tonearms won awards for excellence in the field of Aluminum Die Casting.

Rega designed the R100 MM cartridge. They sourced it from Japan. It was a good value for under $100 and tracked well. For many years we enjoyed great success with the Rega synergy of products, even as CDs started to take over the market and LPs dwindled in availability.

In the late 80s Rega began hand making their own cartridges in house. These cartridges have evolved into the three stellar models we offer today. Bias 2, Elys 2 & Exact 2. We’ll write more about them below.

Rega has not rested on its laurels vis a vis record playing the last 25 years. Roy Gandy and company have been improving steadily. Maybe it’s time you revisit your record playing gear. ? If you still have a bunch or records from back in the day, or if you prefer the sound of new LPs, you can get more than ever out of them.

P1 $400

 The relatively new P1 has brought Rega quality into affordable hands. Most folks playing records still have their old Technics SL-23 or Dual 1229. They might have put a new cartridge on, but, time has marched on fellas! You won’t believe how much better your LPs will sound with a P1 than what you had 20+ years ago!

 The P1 for $400 includes an Ortofon cartridge Rega spec’d for this project. The Ortofon is a good mate and tracks well. But Rega was looking forward. The P1 arm (RB-200) will accept almost any cartridge with half inch mounting design. Hence the game plan is, you dive in “cheap” and when you’re suitably impressed that vinyl should be part of your life again, you can go upstream with the cartridge. Hopefully you’ll consider a Rega.

P2 $525

 The P2 is the latest version of Rega’s classic Planar Two. P2 uses the RB-250 tonearm which is a nice notch above the RB-200 used in P1. The table is more substantial in all regards than P1. It doesn’t come with a cartridge but the most suitable option is the Bias 2, $145. Rega makes the Bias 2 in house. Like all Rega cartridges it has very strong output (5.5mV). The coils are wound by machine. It has an elliptical stylus. Its sound is clear and robust.

P3/24 $900

 P3/24 replaced the classic P3 in 2007. P3/24 is a full bore version of Rega value, including a new motor and the glass platter design. P3/24 comes with a new tonearm, RB-301. RB-301 replaces the venerable RB-300, long considered the best value in our business in tonearm design. RB-300 was such a defacto performer that high quality companies like Rotel and NAD bought the arm for their tables- cuz they knew they couldn’t beat it! Many other companies did the same. P3/24 sounds terrific on its own but is also upgradable. You can add the TT PSU (Turntable Power Supply Unit) for $375. The upgraded supply makes for a noticeable improvement in sound.

 The cartridge we’d like you to run with P3/24 is the Elys 2. Elys 2 is among the best cartridge values in our biz at $295. The output is high, (6.0mV), the coils are hand wound, it has 3 screw mounting hardware and the precise elliptical stylus. It is a fantastic tracker and has superior detail to Bias 2. It’s a great choice for almost any turntable but the synergy with P3/24 is a no brainer.

P5 $1400

 P5 uses Rega’s RB-700 tonearm. As the Rega tonearm models go up, the machining of the bearings improves. Many hours of tender loving care go into machining bearings at Rega. They do it in house to insure the level of quality. P5 uses an outer plinth of isolation, which is separate from the internal record playing deck.

 While Elys 2 can be used effectively, we might twist your arm to upgrade to Rega’s top cartridge, the Exact 2, $595. Exact 2 produces 7.0mV output- an extremely robust phono signal! The coils are hand wound. The 3 screw mounting design is used. The stylus shape is the Vital design to get deeper into the groove than an elliptical can. Exact 2 extracts more information from the groove walls than Elys 2.

Rega Phono Sections

Rega Fono Mini $145

 Rega has brought out a very affordable MM section that we’re thrilled to be able to offer. It is brand new and has already impressed reviewers east of the Atlantic.

Rega Fono $350

 This is Rega’s updated version on their classic MM section. It you’re using an Elys 2 on up, this is your choice! It is a sophisticated MM section at a fair price.

Rega Fono MC $450

 This is an exquisite, affordable MC preamp with adjustable gain, loading and capacitance. If you’re after a top of the line MC cartridge consider Rega’s Apheta, $1800. Its output is 500uV, has hand wound coils, Vital stylus and 3 screw mounting system.

Record Care

 There are a million and one products out there to deal with various aspects of record care. We suggest and carry the last products if you really want to get “into” it. But if you’re playing records that are basically in good shape, you can get by with the Audioquest Anti Static brush for $20- very little hassle!

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