Rega Planar 2

[Edward]

So I'd like to listen to my old vinyl so dragged out an old Rega Planar 2 deck.

This has not been used for a good 20 years. I recall it sounding good. Plugged it in and motor running.

What do I need to do to bring it up a reasonable level? I'm assuming at a minimum a new belt is required.

Also the tonearm does not appear to be standard for the RP2. Anyone know what it is and how to adjust things?

In terms of phono stage I plan to plug it into a Sugden, but I do have a Project phono stage kicking about somewhere.

As a complete alternative I also have a Dual CS515 - condition unknown but use to work OK. Would I more usefully spend my time on getting the Dual up and running?

Anyway here are some pics of the RP2.

Cheershttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180822/0f488898b6fc7ffefa9375a8eddacfc4.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180822/c9570600a21c862b34987215a5f3c86b.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180822/d3b64f2b1bb604e415348738b908619e.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180822/df1608a5533a09b0e6c4ff4e0417abce.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180822/fb872aaf36b71e22c14f9d86aa853567.jpg

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[Jac Hawk]

I would say sort the Rega out, motors, bearings etc. are all readily available, the deck is a piece of cake to work on. First off i would clean and re oil the bearing, replace the drive and motor retention belt and while you have the motor off give it a clean and lube the motor spindle, you should be able to find some videos on you tube showing you how to do all of this, but it really is very simple.

regarding the arm, i don't know what it is, but i'm sure someone more knowledgeable will be able to cast some light, all i'd do to start with is make sure its attached securely, and then check it's aligned and set up correctly, if you haven't got one i'd suggest buying a set of VTF scales, so that you can set up the correct weight the stylus is placing on the vinyl.

I would say that as long as nothing is broken and you don't need a new cartridge you shouldn't need to spend more than about £20 to £30 on bits and pieces.

[walpurgis]

I agree with the above. It's a decent sounding turntable. The tonearm is a Hadcock, can't remember which one, but it should be pretty good and probably warrants a better cartridge.

Forget the Dual, they're OK, but won't match the Rega.

[mayebaza]

A Planar II with a Hadcock Arm should sound sweet with a decent cartridge.

[Jac Hawk]

A Planar II with a Hadcock Arm should sound sweet with a decent cartridge.

Agreed, a better 2nd hand Ortofon VMS a VMS20 or VMS30 if you have the budget would sound sweet. Also i noticed one of the trade members is selling the upgraded White drive belts for £10 each rather than the usual £22 http://www.musicraft.co.uk/special-offers/

[Jac Hawk]

BTW the arm is a Hadcock GH228

Hadcock GH 228 technical specifications
Type : Unipivot. Overall armtube length : 289.6 mm (Export 307.34 mm). Effective length : 228.6 mm. Arm mount type : hole. Mount hole size : 15.87 mm. Height above mount : 43 ~ 90 mm. Pivot stem length : 86.4 mm. Pivot to platters centre : 212.85 mm (pre ca 78 models 212.80). Offset angle : 23°. Rear overhang : 60.09 mm. Adjustments available : Headshell angle, overhang, arm height, tracking weight, lateral balance, anti-skate and lift position. Bearing friction : 6mg. Tracking force : 0 ~ 5 grams. Pickup mount type : Standard 1/2 inch. Cartridge mass : 3 ~ 12 grams (14 grams with an optional 90gram counterweight). RRP (http://audiotools.com/ordabok_r.html#rrp) : 36 UKP (228 Super 1976), 98.90 UKP (228E 1981), 78.20 (228 Export 1982)..

[Edward]

Wow, I look away and come back and see loads of useful info. Thanks Mike, Geoff and Barrington.

I'll get some belts (I guess there are two, one visible and one within the motor assembly). I have some super thin oil (Singer for their sewing machines) - will that do?

Any ideas on the cartridge weight I should set? I have a working arm load meter. I don't know how to set the anti-skating mech. I guess just leave as is.

I'll now go and check out the belt offer.

:wave:

[walpurgis]

There's only one belt. Sewing machine oil is probably OK for the motor bearings, but I'd use something slightly more viscous for the platter spindle/main bearing. The VMS3 Mk.II will probably be OK tracking at around 2 grams, it should sound pleasant enough.

Here's the spec: https://www.ortofon.com/vms-cartridges-p-614

This may help with the arm: http://www.soundhifi.com/images/228_instructions.pdf

[WESTLOWER]

Wow, I look away and come back and see loads of useful info. Thanks Mike, Geoff and Barrington.

I'll get some belts (I guess there are two, one visible and one within the motor assembly). I have some super thin oil (Singer for their sewing machines) - will that do?



Any ideas on the cartridge weight I should set? I have a working arm load meter. I don't know how to set the anti-skating mech. I guess just leave as is.

I'll now go and check out the belt offer.

:wave:

I’ll pop round and have a fettle!

[Jac Hawk]

Geoff's right there is only one drive belt, however the other belt i was talking about holds the motor onto a bracket on the underside of the plinth, it's a bit crude looking but was how Rega did it for many years, below is a picture of what i mean, 2 grub screws hold the rectangular metal bar to the underside of the plinth, i guess the idea was to give the motor a little "give" and would probably isolate the motor more than bolting it direct to the plinth.

Regarding bearing oil, you can get it from ebay, but it's basically motor oil 5W I think

http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=8665

[Edward]

I’ll pop round and have a fettle!

Ah thanks Adam! :) Let me sort out the bits first and then we can play.


Geoff's right there is only one drive belt, however the other belt i was talking about holds the motor onto a bracket on the underside of the plinth, it's a bit crude looking but was how Rega did it for many years, below is a picture of what i mean, 2 grub screws hold the rectangular metal bar to the underside of the plinth, i guess the idea was to give the motor a little "give" and would probably isolate the motor more than bolting it direct to the plinth.

Regarding bearing oil, you can get it from ebay, but it's basically motor oil 5W I think

http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=8665

Thanks Mike. I'll try find some time to open it up and have a look. What I did find, so far, is when the TT spins down the spindle scrubs against the plinth a bit. I guess that is due to the belt having to much give as it has aged.

Do you have a link for the musiccraft belt offer? I could not easily find it.

Thanks Geoff for the arm and cartridge links.

:wave: Edward

[Jac Hawk]

it's halfway down the page of special offers i posted, i'd suggest giving them a call though as there doesn't seem to be any way to order on line.

[Edward]

Spoke with Rick at Musicraft. Sadly all his sales are strictly collection only. I can't justify going all the way to Derby to pick up some belts. :)

Anyway I have ordered some belts from some guy on the bay. Not original Rega stuff but feedback is good. Also included is a motor suspension belt which I will renew.

On my travels I saw someone selling a delrin bearing and sub-platter. His video demo pretty good. Maybe I will do that another time. About £60.

[Edward]

Oh, I also turned the TT over to see what is what.

Clearly I need to sort out the cheap insulation someone used when installing the tonearm. :)

The motor looks super easy to replace if I ever need to. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180823/6ba166a9d429d9cc2d404cc0abf851c6.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180823/72856b2c2b894e1373637efa54d46e84.jpg

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[hifi_dave]

Spoke with Rick at Musicraft. Sadly all his sales are strictly collection only. I can't justify going all the way to Derby to pick up some belts. :)

Anyway I have ordered some belts from some guy on the bay. Not original Rega stuff but feedback is good. Also included is a motor suspension belt which I will renew.

On my travels I saw someone selling a delrin bearing and sub-platter. His video demo pretty good. Maybe I will do that another time. About £60.

I've seen/replaced so many 'Rega' belts bought from Amazon or E-Bay, over the years. If it isn't from a Rega stockist, it isn't a Rega belt and might well degrade the performance. Why spoil the ship for the sake of a couple of Pounds ?

I always have Rega standard and White belts in stock.

[Edward]

Oh dear, maybe I have made a mistake. Don't think I can cancel so lets see what happens. I can always come to you Dave if a genuine Rega part is called for. The 3 belts I got only £9 so no big loss.

It's all a bit of experiment. Maybe the sound quality will not be up to what I was using recently (a Gyrodec with a world design phonostage - sadly that had to go) in which case I'll probably just flog the RP2 and find something better. Or stick with digital. :)

[walpurgis]

Extend the arm wires a bit using similar coloured wire and heat shrink sleeving and solder them to a tag strip screwed the the underside, then solder the lead 'out' to that or fit phono sockets to the back and use a separate interconnect. You may need metal screening over exposed wires and tag strip etc.

[Yomanze]

Geoff's right there is only one drive belt, however the other belt i was talking about holds the motor onto a bracket on the underside of the plinth, it's a bit crude looking but was how Rega did it for many years, below is a picture of what i mean, 2 grub screws hold the rectangular metal bar to the underside of the plinth, i guess the idea was to give the motor a little "give" and would probably isolate the motor more than bolting it direct to the plinth.

Regarding bearing oil, you can get it from ebay, but it's basically motor oil 5W I think

http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=8665

EP90 Gear oil is better. :)

[hifi_dave]

Oh dear, maybe I have made a mistake. Don't think I can cancel so lets see what happens. I can always come to you Dave if a genuine Rega part is called for. The 3 belts I got only £9 so no big loss.

It's all a bit of experiment. Maybe the sound quality will not be up to what I was using recently (a Gyrodec with a world design phonostage - sadly that had to go) in which case I'll probably just flog the RP2 and find something better. Or stick with digital. :)

I have a Planar-3 in just now for a service and it has an E-Bay belt which cost (I believe) £8. It is marginally tighter than the Rega belt and feels rough as I pull it through my fingers. That will be audible.

[Edward]

I have a Planar-3 in just now for a service and it has an E-Bay belt which cost (I believe) £8. It is marginally tighter than the Rega belt and feels rough as I pull it through my fingers. That will be audible.Interesting.

Let me see how I get on for now. Maybs the whole experience will poor in which case I may look at buying something much higher up the food chain.

As a matter of reference for now Dave what is your price for a white belt.

Yesterday I was tinkering with an ancient Nakamichi DR2 cassette player. Renewed the belt and other stuff. Was skip material but now working great. Very fiddly doing the belt on that. Silly prices people selling these for now.

E

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[hifi_dave]

Please e-mail or PM.

[Jac Hawk]

I have a Planar-3 in just now for a service and it has an E-Bay belt which cost (I believe) £8. It is marginally tighter than the Rega belt and feels rough as I pull it through my fingers. That will be audible.

Much the same as what Jonny at Audio Origami told me, he said the "knock off" belts are no more than large O rings used for plumbing and instead of having a totally smooth surface they tend to have a rough edge due to the way they were manufactured. The white Rega belts are the way to go in my opinion.

[Edward]

So it all came together beautifully. :)

Been playing the RP2 for a while now and it certainly is a sweet sounding TT. Able to draw out lots of detail, good imaging and overall presentation. Nothing shabby.

Got the spare belts including the motor suspension belt. All easy to fit. One of the tonearm wires had come adrift but sorted with a quick soldering. Locked down the tonearm wires and RCA cable (no sellotape in sight now), fitted the subplatter belt, did a rough cartridge weight (approx 3.5g) and fired it up. Always anxious at this point - it either goes bang, or only one channel or silence. But no - sounds from both channels. Result! Sounding good.

Then set aside some time to tune things. Set tracking weight to 1.75g (roughly midpoint that Ortofon recommends for this cart) and then overhang, alignment etc. With luck I still had a MFSL Geo-Disc thing so all quite easy.

Fired it up again and massive improvement from the initial trial. More detail, dynamic range opened up and generally things 'flowing' more easily. Less tracking weight (1.75 vs 3.5g) results in less surface noise being picked up but still lots of detail.

But - sound still not up to my digital setup. Missing some bass with top end a bit glaring and midtones somewhat 2 dimensional. Certainly not up to the Gyrodec (pickering cart) I was listening to recently. I expect, as mentioned in this thread, that a better cartridge will improve things a lot. But overall an engaging and musical sound.

The Hadcock lift mechanism is a bit grungy. Need to look at that but not sure how to clean the internals. May try a drop of penetrating oil.

Motor not totally silent. Need to investigate if replacements are possible .

Really appreciate the help and hints given in this thread. Thanks v much. :wave:

[WESTLOWER]

Well done Edward ! So you’ll be keeping your vinyl now?
You know it makes sense!

[Edward]

Not sure Adam.

I've now remembered that with vinyl one has to get up every 18 minutes or so. :lol:

[Jac Hawk]

Not sure Adam.

I've now remembered that with vinyl one has to get up every 18 minutes or so. :lol:

The exercise will do you good though. What i like about vinyl is the fact that you can't just skip past tracks you "think" you don't like, that might sound a bit daft, but i find some tunes need a few plays before you fully appreciate them.

anyway i'm please your deck is working, the motor probably just needs a clean and oil, also i would recommend fitting a thrust bearing it helps reduce motor noise, the best thing to totally remove the motor noise is to use something like the SRM Tech "Silent Base" it's basically a sub plinth if that makes sense, the motor is mounted in a stiff rubber cup on the base and you adjust the height so the pulley sticks through the hole in the plinth at the right height for the drive belt, i use one and in my opinion it does a fantastic job.

http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb371/jachawk9000/2018-08/6997AE56-11FB-4115-895B-98277F572BE2.jpg (http://s1202.photobucket.com/user/jachawk9000/media/2018-08/6997AE56-11FB-4115-895B-98277F572BE2.jpg.html)http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb371/jachawk9000/2018-08/6FEB0A27-F5D7-40D4-9ABC-181A5AF90C96.jpg (http://s1202.photobucket.com/user/jachawk9000/media/2018-08/6FEB0A27-F5D7-40D4-9ABC-181A5AF90C96.jpg.html)

[Edward]

Very interesting Mike. I get how that works with the sub plinth and totally isolating the motor from the turntable. The Gyrodec has a similar implementation but with the motor off to the side but isolated from the main chassis.

I've been reading about what the guy in the following link has been doing. Very interesting and seems pretty state of the art engineering.

http://www.fidelitydesignsltd.co.uk/subplatters/subplatters.html

But to be honest I don't want to be investing too much in the RP2. If I do dive into vinyl again much I probably want to go down the Garrard route (having listened a bit recently to various (Tom's and Adam's) and just love the 'vintage' sound. So probably only small/incremental changes to the RP2. I think a better cartridge for the RP2 for now is on my shopping list.

But I'm also gonna check out the SRM Tech stuff as well. Thanks for that.

[Jac Hawk]

Yes Ben from Fidelity Designs is a great guy and a skilled craftsman, he lives just down the road in Preston, he made the subplatter for me and my acrylic platter, the biggest upgrade sonically though is the silent base, it improves everything, deeper bass, better seperation etc. and the silence between tracks is uncanny there is literally no motor noise at all being picked up.

[walpurgis]

the motor probably just needs a clean and oil, also i would recommend fitting a thrust bearing it helps reduce motor noise, the best thing to totally remove the motor noise is to use something like the SRM Tech "Silent Base" it's basically a sub plinth if that makes sense, the motor is mounted in a stiff rubber cup on the base and you adjust the height so the pulley sticks through the hole in the plinth at the right height for the drive belt, i use one and in my opinion it does a fantastic job.

Good suggestions.

If the motor is noisy, it could be worth checking that nothing is touching it.

[Jac Hawk]

Good suggestions.

If the motor is noisy, it could be worth checking that nothing is touching it.

The original method for attaching the motor on a Rega deck was pretty heath robinson and did nothing in my opinion to help with motor hum, even now in the newest models the motor is stuck to the underside of the plinth with a sticky foam pad

[walpurgis]

Considering that the Regas are about the simplest TT's around, it always surprises me how good they can sound, although I have to say, I'm not keen on Rega arms. Strangely (or maybe not), they seem to give their best on Rega turntables. I've tried them on Techies and other decks and been dissatisfied with the sound.

[Jac Hawk]

Considering that the Regas are about the simplest TT's around, it always surprises me how good they can sound, although I have to say, I'm not keen on Rega arms. Strangely (or maybe not), they seem to give their best on Rega turntables. I've tried them on Techies and other decks and been dissatisfied with the sound.

Absolutely right Geoff there is nothing more simple than a Rega deck, i've been upgrading mine on and off for the last year or so and for my ears right now it's sounding very nice indeed, as i said the biggest improvement in sound came when i decoupled the motor from the plinth, the next big thing will be a new Audiomods series 5 arm for Christmas and maybe a delrin platter next month, after the arms changed then i think it'll be time for a new cartridge.

[walpurgis]

I tried a Mission 774 on a Planar 2 and it sounded superb. Way ahead of the RB250 and modified RB300 I had used. It was like opening a pair of curtains between me and the music. And that's not hyperbole, it's really the impression I got from the change.

Mind you, once you've modified the turntable to accept the Mission arm, you can't refit the Rega arm unless you're a bit handy and creative.

[Jac Hawk]

Mind you, once you've modified the turntable to accept the Mission arm, you can't refit the Rega arm unless you're a bit handy and creative.

A bit of old kitchen worktop cut to size and hey presto you have a new plinth :eyebrows::eyebrows::lol::lol: