+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 5 123 ... LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 49

Thread: Slight Wow on old Rega Planar 3

  1. #1
    Join Date: Oct 2015

    Location: Harrow

    Posts: 48
    I'm Peter.

    Default Slight Wow on old Rega Planar 3

    I have a very old but in excellent condition original Rega Planar 3 with RB300 arm. I bought it new over 35 years ago. On some organ and piano music on inner tracks a slight wow can be heard.

    I up dated the motor mount to the fixed sticky foam pads, new ally pulley and a little blue belter drive belt. I cleaned out the bearing housing and lubed it with Rega recommended oil.

    I wondered whether throwing more money at this old deck to up grade the motor is worth it and it won't be cheap, or buy a more up to date deck which hopefully will have better wow figures and not necessarily a Rega, I don't have any particular brand loyalty. I guess my budget will be £550/600 Max with out cartridge

    Thanks
    Pete

  2. #2
    Join Date: Apr 2012

    Location: N E Kent

    Posts: 51,624
    I'm Geoff.

    Default

    Do you have another belt you can try it with?
    It is impossible for anything digital to sound analogue, because it isn't analogue!

  3. #3
    Audio Al is offline Pishanto Specialist & Super-Daftee
    Join Date: May 2012

    Location: Dagenham Essex

    Posts: 11,215
    I'm Allen.


  4. #4
    Join Date: Aug 2009

    Location: Staffordshire, England

    Posts: 37,786
    I'm Martin.

    Default

    My neighbour has the exact same deck and arm from the same era. It does wow a tiny bit, that's a lightweight belt drive for you. My advice is buy a decent used Technics SL1200 or 1210 (about £300) and fit the Rega arm to it.
    Current Lash Up:

    TEAC VRDS 701T > Sony TAE1000ESD > Krell KSA50S > JM Labs Focal Electra 926.

  5. #5
    Join Date: Sep 2012

    Location: Derbyshire

    Posts: 542
    I'm mark.

    Default

    I've repaired a couple of old Rega's, new silicone belt and replaced the cap in the power supply brought it back to normal.

  6. #6
    Join Date: Oct 2015

    Location: Harrow

    Posts: 48
    I'm Peter.

    Default

    Yes, I have a standard Rega belt which I will try. I have always been fascinated by direct drive, especially more recent models with the sophisticated speed control electronics, they do give better figures that some belt drive decks
    I must admit my pal has a Technics deck not sure of the model, but its several years old and it sounds awesome by comparison to my Rega, the bass out put is legendary just with its standard arm. It has a audio Technica cartridge but not sure which model.
    Will report back after some testing

    Peter

  7. #7
    Join Date: May 2008

    Location: A Strangely Isolated Place in Suffolk with Far Away Trains Passing By...

    Posts: 14,535
    I'm David.

    Default

    You live in Harrow and Harrow Audio are now fairly mature and friendly Rega dealers (I know Richard Conroy over 40 years now)! Why not take your deck along and compare with a new one to see what's happening. Sticky old main bearing oil is an issue, loose main bearing and tonearm fixings kill the sonics and a tired motor suspension and unevenly stretched belt causes all manner of problems. Fluffy old mats should also be replaced in my experience but this isn't to do with pitch stability, more sonic definition.

    I'm not staunchly defending Regas and am aware the lower models won't have the digital-like rock-solid pitch stability of a modern techie or good old idler drive for example, but they shouldn't be bad enough to cause issues when fettled right.
    Tear down these walls; Cut the ties that held me
    Crying out at the top of my voice; Tell me now if you can hear me

  8. #8
    Join Date: Oct 2015

    Location: Harrow

    Posts: 48
    I'm Peter.

    Default

    Thanks, yes, likewise, I have known Richard Conroy for many years, in fact I live round the corner from the shop and could walk there in 5 minutes, However, I didn't want to bring Harrow Audio into the equation until I had read other peoples views and done a bit of market research.

  9. #9
    Join Date: Oct 2015

    Location: Harrow

    Posts: 48
    I'm Peter.

    Default

    Just fitted my spare Rega standard drive belt and wow is now almost undetectable, as for main bearing oil, I used what Roy Gandy recommended a EP type gear oil, but there seems to be other oils being recommended by various people, and Edwards decks which is virtually a Rega in disguise recommend a thin synthetic engine oil such as Mobil 0-30. There seems to be quite a few different opinions on main bearing oil. I wonder how much different oils affect Wow or are we being too finnicky

  10. #10
    Join Date: Apr 2009

    Location: Near Saffron Walden, Essex

    Posts: 7,087
    I'm Dave.

    Default

    Oils do affect the sound and I would recommend you go with Rega's suggestion. They do know what they are doing, as you have discovered by going back to the Rega belt instead of the tweaky one. A Rega White Belt might be also help with your problem.

+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 5 123 ... LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •