Based on the Rega I thought the new Edwards Audio turntable made a good alternative and a few extra touches have been applied, such as the platter.

It features a smart LDF plinth on to which are mounted the 230V AC motor, a RB251 arm and a precision made brass bearing housing. The inner platter runs on a polished steel ball bearing which is run in a specially produced light synthetic machine oil designed for Formula 1 applications. This is all topped off with a 12 mm custom made Acrylic platter and 3 rubber isolation feet, designed to compliment the mass of the turntable. This stunning package is available from around £325



The TT1 has been designed to offer a great value/performance ratio and we believe makes an ideal ‘first’ turntable for enthusiasts who are either just starting out or returning to vinyl after dabbling in the digital world.

It has several upgrade options, like a ruby bearing option for £50 and in development there is a regenerative power supply which improves performance further.

I always think the biggest problem for turntables like these are the Regas own ones.

Thay's a great package. I auditioned one recently and was hugely impressed. A great 'plug and play' option, that ( £ for £) out performs the Rega competition.

I have had a few rega decks over the years, and done similar mods myself. The odd one is a real improvement, others are more a change of flavour.

It's going to sound some what different just by changing the platter material and thickness. Each material will impart it's own sonic signature, that's why I never understand why people try to mod the Rega decks, all they are doing is changing the sound from which rega intended.

@greg

Are you saying that Rega decks are perfect and they cannot be improved upon ?

Of course the budget Rega decks can be improved but putting a acrylic platter on does not 'improve', it changes the presentation. To one it may improve, to the other be a retrograde step.

Fitting a decent quality subplatter improves, changing the plastic end stub on the RB250/251 improves. You just have to think hard about what you are spending. You can soon double the cost of a basic P2 or P3-24. Personally I would start with a P3-24 and psu, and go from there, rather than start with a P2.

Colin has summed it up, it's not worth spending money on a Rega deck, just get a better deck, these mods are just changing the sound, you no longer have a Rega sounding deck, but something that sounds different.

I would imagine it sounds pretty much like a rega with a acrylic platter. I tried one, both a P2 and a P25. It changed the sound but I have to say that to me it did not improve the sound, just changed it.

There are a hell of a lot of decks around based on Rega's or use Rega bits, especially the arms, and even more offering mods for Rega.

Personally I think rega should get the marketing together, and fill some gaps. By that I mean take the P3-24, and the P5, fit the sub platter are bearing assembly from the P7 and sell them as the P4 and P6. That may well mean that a P4 costs the same, or maore than a P5 but it would probably be a better basic deck. The P6 would make sense, as in effect you would have a P7 without the expensive platter.

One of the experts utilised to finalise the specifications, is a Rega dealer. It's not about filling niches. This is a genuinely good product that I think sounds different enough to the Regas (P2, P3-24 that I have compared them to) to justify being considered a product in it's own right.

I am no expert and I have no preconceptions. I just liked to way it sounded.

I agree that Rega should balance their marketting and your suggestion makes sense.

Whatever happened to Rega ?
Have they lost enthusiasm for vinyl ?
I don't see any fight from them against the likes of project , etc.
Sad really...... their record players seem to have something in the sound that immitators can't match. Lets face it some of these designs are rather blatant in there rebadged audio version of literary plagiarism don't you think ?
Maybe Rega now make more money from other record deck companies using their designs ?
I myself still rate a well re wired rega RB300 as one of the finest sounding pickup arms ever made. I've heard them match SME's without a word of a lie.
One of hi fi's greatest inventions without a doubt. Unfortunately ( or maybe fortunately ....£££ ) for rega the arm
( in my opinion ) is better than the motor unit and has always been it's major strength.

Eh? what about the new P1?

There are new products in the pipeline, and they are constantly improving what they have.

They maintain a small portfolio and can then focus on their products better than most. Their back up is superb, as well.