Rega platter upgrade advice

[steve-z]

Can anyone give me an insight into the improvements with regard to swapping the standard glass platter on my 2016 Planar 3 to an acrylic or delrin/acetal platter, these being the 2 most likely options from Fidelity Designs, who I bought a subplatter from about 18 months ago.
I was wondering if the lighter weight but more peripheral weighting of these platters would be beneficial to wow and flutter performance.
Any comments from users of these platters would be helpful.


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[sq225917]

All other things being equal moving weight to the edge improves speed stability. Moving weight to the edge while reducing mass, so that the overall mass goes does but the rotational inertia of the platter stays the same reduces bearing noise. Or you could mod it in between the two, lighter but with more rotational inertia.

To work it out you'd have to do the math and that requires having a geometric model of the part and knowing the density.

I had a 25mm acrylic platter for my P5 from a German guy, The Acrylteller. Beautiful platter, same weight as the Rega glass one but with mass concentrated in the last 70mm towards the outside edge.

To be fair any acrylic platter is unlikely to give more than a couple of % increase in rotational inertia unless it's a good % heavier than the outgoing rega platter.

If you want speed stability get a TT-PSU, you'll already have reaped a fair chunk of speed improvement with a new inner. When I measured my Rega one it was 0.3mm high at two spots, so added a 1.1hz wow to everything (2 spots per rev = 66.6 per minute = 1.1per second deviation = 1.1hz wow). Doesn't sound like much but on low synth notes, say 25hz they warbled from 23.9 - 26.1hz which is noticeable as a harmonic. A solid metal subplatter is a great upgrade.

It doesn't look it from the pics, which are poor but the quality of his finish is miles above the UK stuff. I looked at them all. He makes the platters for Clearaudio, nuff said.

http://www.acrylteller.com/epages/es122814.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/es122814_acrylteller/Categories/ACRYLTAUSCHTELLER/fuer_REGA/%22Rega%20P1%20-%20P2%22

[steve-z]

All other things being equal moving weight to the edge improves speed stability. Moving weight to the edge while reducing mass, so that the overall mass goes does but the rotational inertia of the platter stays the same reduces bearing noise. Or you could mod it in between the two, lighter but with more rotational inertia.

To work it out you'd have to do the math and that requires having a geometric model of the part and knowing the density.

I had a 25mm acrylic platter for my P5 from a German guy, The Acrylteller. Beautiful platter, same weight as the Rega glass one but with mass concentrated in the last 70mm towards the outside edge.

To be fair any acrylic platter is unlikely to give more than a couple of % increase in rotational inertia unless it's a good % heavier than the outgoing rega platter.

If you want speed stability get a TT-PSU, you'll already have reaped a fair chunk of speed improvement with a new inner. When I measured my Rega one it was 0.3mm high at two spots, so added a 1.1hz wow to everything (2 spots per rev = 66.6 per minute = 1.1per second deviation = 1.1hz wow). Doesn't sound like much but on low synth notes, say 25hz they warbled from 23.9 - 26.1hz which is noticeable as a harmonic. A solid metal subplatter is a great upgrade.

It doesn't look it from the pics, which are poor but the quality of his finish is miles above the UK stuff. I looked at them all. He makes the platters for Clearaudio, nuff said.

http://www.acrylteller.com/epages/es122814.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/es122814_acrylteller/Categories/ACRYLTAUSCHTELLER/fuer_REGA/%22Rega%20P1%20-%20P2%22

I’ve been on the German website not really sure of comparative cost as it’s shown in Euros. Very pleased with my alloy sub platter from FD hence that being my first thought, no doubt the engineering quality of the platters is as good as the sub platters. I had a TTPSU with the deck when I bought it, did ABs with and without and could not tell any difference so I sold it on. Was a bit shocked when I found out the Rega manufacturing tolerance for wow and flutter on the P3 is 0.3%, 0.2% on the P6 and above.
Mine measured with the RPM iPhone app, with standard belt 33.46RPM and 0.24% W&F. Changed to an Edwards Audio Little Belter Blue belt, remeasured at 33.34RPM and 0.18% W&F, makes me wonder if a platter change will improve W&F much more, then again most agree the platter material improves the SQ. The Rega can’t match my other deck, for measured performance at least, it’s an Audio Technica ATLP5 direct drive, that’s spot on 33.33 and 0.12% W&F. Will have to give it quite a bit more thought.


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[sq225917]

I'd suggest that the iphone speed app is a Fisher Price toy.

[steve-z]

I'd suggest that the iphone speed app is a Fisher Price toy.

Hardly, I know plenty of knowledgeable people who use it, or one like it, there are quite a few available, interesting that you can submit your test results to an online worldwide database, makes interesting reading comparing the performance of different decks, only one deck in the whole database managed W&F under 0.1%, not too surprising it's the most recent model Linn LP12, should be good for all that money.


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[hifi_dave]

An Acrylic platter will change the sound slightly. Whether or not it is better than the standard glass platter is a matter of taste.

[fiddlemaker]

Hardly, I know plenty of knowledgeable people who use it, or one like it, there are quite a few available, interesting that you can submit your test results to an online worldwide database, makes interesting reading comparing the performance of different decks, only one deck in the whole database managed W&F under 0.1%, not too surprising it's the most recent model Linn LP12, should be good for all that money.



wouldn't take the database too seriously, as the results depend on how the measurement was taken, and that isn't stated. My deck had W&F of 0.2% with the phone placed off centre on the platter, 0.1% when carefully centered above the spindle.

[steve-z]

wouldn't take the database too seriously, as the results depend on how the measurement was taken, and that isn't stated. My deck had W&F of 0.2% with the phone placed off centre on the platter, 0.1% when carefully centered above the spindle.

Granted, a bit of care is needed to get the phone as central as possible, I always repeat 3 or 4 times to get more consistent readings. I think most people who get particularly high readings would take more care with placement and repeat.


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[Jac Hawk]

I have a Planar 3 with an upgraded sub platter, twin belt pulley and an Acrylic platter, to be honest i can't say that the acrylic platter has had a massive effect but each of the upgrades has bit by bit improved the overall sound and speed stability. Honestly the biggest single improvement i've made was getting an SRM Tech silent base, that for me was like night and day difference and well worth the £125 i spent on it

[bbbiker800]

Just to add to whats been said above. I had speed issues with my RP3 - confirmed by use of 2 appls on 2 different smartphones. Long story short, I installed a Edwards belt and speed dropped quite a bit. The appls aren't that accurate but the phones will give different results as accelerometers are different. That said I use RPM Speed&WOW. Also, the Rega NEO has not been mentioned - Dave, would that help ?

[steve-z]

I have a Planar 3 with an upgraded sub platter, twin belt pulley and an Acrylic platter, to be honest i can't say that the acrylic platter has had a massive effect but each of the upgrades has bit by bit improved the overall sound and speed stability. Honestly the biggest single improvement i've made was getting an SRM Tech silent base, that for me was like night and day difference and well worth the £125 i spent on it

Interesting that you didn’t notice much difference between the standard glass and acrylic platters, I think if I do change the platter it will be to the heavier Delrin/Acetal one from Fidelity Designs, it’s slightly heavier than the standard platter and more peripheral weighted. Partly because I have a taller cartridge and because I’ve always found the SQ to be better I use the Origin Live mat on my P3 and a 1.5mm shim under the armbase which gets the VTA perfect. Not familiar with the silent base you mention, I have my P3 on the latest lightweight Rega wall mount which I’ve found gives excellent results even though one of my speakers is less than half a metre away from it.
The twin belt pulley should improve the W&F but turns the deck to 33.33RPM only requiring the purchase of a TTPSU to get 45RPMhttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181019/6910e8e519b982c0cc8bffc4f0984c55.jpg


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[steve-z]

Just to add to whats been said above. I had speed issues with my RP3 - confirmed by use of 2 appls on 2 different smartphones. Long story short, I installed a Edwards belt and speed dropped quite a bit. The appls aren't that accurate but the phones will give different results as accelerometers are different. That said I use RPM Speed&WOW. Also, the Rega NEO has not been mentioned - Dave, would that help ?

I got the Edwards Audio Belt after watching I guy on Youtube do a comparison of several different belts and it gave the best speed accuracy, also as my standard belt gave a faster speed I didn’t get the Rega White belt which apparently makes the speed even faster, the Edwards has been very consistent when measured at 33.33-33.34RPM.
I believe the new Neo PSU enables fine speed adjustment but I’m not prepared to shell out that sort of money when buying a belt for £15 gets it pretty much spot on.


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[Jac Hawk]

Not familiar with the silent base you mention, I have my P3 on the latest lightweight Rega wall mount which I’ve found gives excellent results even though one of my speakers is less than half a metre away from it.
The twin belt pulley should improve the W&F but turns the deck to 33.33RPM only requiring the purchase of a TTPSU to get 45RPM

Here's the link to the SRM Tech silent base (http://srm-tech.co.uk/epages/4c008923-2265-416e-a207-cc9dd8b06028.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/4c008923-2265-416e-a207-cc9dd8b06028/Products/RSB1), With regards to the pulley, i only play LP's so not having a 45 option isn't an issue

[Jac Hawk]

Also if you're looking for a Delrin platter try this guy http://www.fidelitydesignsltd.co.uk/platters/platters.html his workmanship is top notch and his prices are very reasonable.

[Jac Hawk]

Here's a couple of photos of my Planar 3 with silent base and acrylic platter

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)

[hifi_dave]

Is it actually that wonky or are you leaning to one side..:scratch:

[Spectral Morn]

Is it actually that wonky or are you leaning to one side..:scratch:

I wondered that as well.

[Jac Hawk]

Cheeky fookers, it's the photo

[steve-z]

Also if you're looking for a Delrin platter try this guy http://www.fidelitydesignsltd.co.uk/platters/platters.html his workmanship is top notch and his prices are very reasonable.

I’ve had one of FD’s alloy sub platters installed on my P3 for about a year, the engineering quality is first rate and great value at £50, if I was going for a platter upgrade it would be my first port of call.


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[steve-z]

With one or two comments about possible inaccuracies of the RPM iphone app I thought I’d check by a different method, I printed off a 50hz strobe disc from the net and downloaded an app called True Note which generates a 50hz strobe light via the LED light on the iphone, checked the speed on both my Rega P3 and ATLP5, both delivered a perfectly static strobe ring confirming the speed of both to be spot on. I also checked 45RPM on the ATLP5 and the strobe ring was backing up very slightly indicating it to be slightly slow, when I checked the small print on the strobe disc it stated that to get a whole number of dashes on the 45RPM ring the indication would be static at 45.11RPM, so on that basis 45RPM is probably spot on as well [emoji846]


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[mayebaza]

Hi if wow and flutter are your main issues I'd suggest the Neo PSU first, dual pulley, then some sort of off board motor set up - Limm/SRM.

[steve-z]

Hi if wow and flutter are your main issues I'd suggest the Neo PSU first, dual pulley, then some sort of off board motor set up - Limm/SRM.

No, wow and flutter is not a problem, in my OP I just questioned if the change of platter to a more peripherally weighted one would improve it. I unfortunately can’t afford to shell out £225 for a Neo PSU atm, I think I’d only consider it if I went the twin belt pulley route. With the recent strobe testing confirming both my decks to have spot on speed accuracy I’m happy with them as is, I certainly am not interested in going to an off board motor setup, I can’t detect any motor noise/rumble, certainly not above inherent vinyl roar with the wick full up on my setup listening to a locked silent groove, certainly it’s so far down from my listening level as to be totally inaudible. One thing which does seem obvious is that no matter which belt you use their elasticity/tension varies with time/age which will effect speed and wow measurements so periodic checks are a good idea, if they go out of spec then the belt needs to be replaced to ensure consistency, I you’re a heavy user of your deck I would say change the belt twice a year.


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[mayebaza]

By locking speed and controling fluctions due to belt wear the Neo delivers a greater upgrade than a derlin platter. Keep an eye on the 2nd hand market.

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