Hello from South London

[kendide]

Hi there people. I've been browsing forums but would like to throw out a specific question, so am glad to introduce myself here.

Having had various cobbled together Hifi systems over the years I accidentally got back into vinyl a few years ago due to teenagers in the house suddenly deciding it was cool and buying 'vinyls' (as I've also started called records, alas) for which there was no turntable to play them.

A quick cheap set-up to satisfy them, and that allowed me to bring 30 or so LPs out of the loft, resulted in the following:

TT: Audio-Technica AT-LP60X
Amp: Denon PMA60 (largely to accommodate bluetooth)
Speakers: Q Acoustics 3020

Now, a couple of years on, I've reached the point of wanting to upgrade, which would also allow a teenager to have the turntable at least in their room.

Still keeping to a very tight budget, I've been looking at Rega Planar 1 or 2 (can't go higher than that, alas) but I've seen a secondhand Pro-Ject RPM4 in good condition at half the price of a Planar 1, and wonder how the spec of an older and presumably originally pricier model plays against a newer lower-priced one. Anyway, I'll put this in the proper thread, but this is me saying Hi.

Just now listening to The Great Destroyer by Low, but I listen to a fair amount of classical (especially piano music), electronica and ambient (lots of Roedelius, that kind of thing) and various folk/indie things. So I'm looking for detail, rather than power!

[walpurgis]

Hello Jonathan. Welcome to AOS.

Feel free to get involved in any chat that interests you, there's plenty going on.


Enjoy the forum,
Geoff.

[Barry]

Welcome to AoS Johnathan.

Good luck with your quest to upgrade the record player (:)); I'm sure you will receive good advice from Members here who are familiar with either record deck. ("Vinyls" indeed! ;))

Enjoy the Forum
Barry

[AJSki2fly]

....

Still keeping to a very tight budget, I've been looking at Rega Planar 1 or 2 (can't go higher than that, alas) but I've seen a secondhand Pro-Ject RPM4 in good condition at half the price of a Planar 1, and wonder how the spec of an older and presumably originally pricier model plays against a newer lower-priced one. Anyway, I'll put this in the proper thread, but this is me saying Hi.



Hi Jonathan

Welcome to AoS. The Pro-Ject RPM4 TT was a very good and highly recommended turntable in its day, I think it marketed for around £375 in 2002, see https://www.sarte-audio.com/sites/default/files/dbutiirpm4.pdf.

There are several questions that you need to consider with used turntables:-

1. Is it coming from a well cared for home, preferably one or maybe 2 owners, in other words has it been looked after? If yes, you may be onto a good one.

2. Has it ever been serviced, had drive belt replaced bearing oiled/serviced, and when was it last done? If its recent and looks in good cared for condition then check the platted freely spins(with belt removed and no signs of rumble noise from the bearing.

3. Does the platter keep accurate speed? You can download a turntable strobe sheet that you print and put on the turntable and put a TT speed strobe app onto your mobile phone, and use this to test if it runs slow or fast at 33 and 45 rpm, or if it fluctuates.

3. Check that the arm bearing is friction free and no slack, if its had lots of use then it may have seen better days, this depends on amount of use and care of it.

4. What condition is the cartridge/stylus in and how much usage? This is pretty important, you maybe buying a TT for £150-200 but if you get it home and find the stylus has had over use or just needs replacing this could be costly, remember a damaged stylus will damage you vinyl, most stylus are good for 1000-1500hours of use if cared for and not abused, this means records kept clean and free from dust and the stylus tip regularly brushed with a carbon fibre brush for that purpose. The RPM4 could have come with a Pro-Ject K4 or K6 cartridge, but could have been replaced or supplied with another make. I believe the K4 and K6 replacement stylus are hard to get, K4 is around $60 from USA. A reasonable moving magnet like the Ortofon 2M Red to Pro-Ject Pick It Pro will set you back about £100.

5. If it has a Moving Coil cartridge then does your amplifier have a MC phono stage? If not you will need to buy one or replace the cartridge?

6. Do not buy unless you can see and hear it working, unless you are confident it is a good one.

Finally to try and answer your question, which was "Rega Planar 1 or 2 (can't go higher than that, alas) but I've seen a secondhand Pro-Ject RPM4 in good condition at half the price of a Planar 1, and wonder how the spec of an older and presumably originally pricier model plays against a newer lower-priced one".

The answer in my opinion is if the RPM4 is in fact in good condition and the cartridge does not need replacing or need a new stylus, then sonically it should sound better than the Rega.

The RPM range of Pro-Ject turntable were an entry level point into what they called audiophile turntable range, and in fact they still make the range, you can pick up a Pro-Ject Carbon RPM1 for £399 or maybe less https://www.richersounds.com/project-rpm-1-carbon-blk.html all new and a very good Turntable. A Rega Planar 1 is £250 and Rega Planar 2 £429 and both come with a £30 Rega cartridge no match for the Ortofon 2m RED on the Carbon RPM1.

It will be interesting to hear what you do.

[hifinutt]

welcome from south london refugee and electronica lover [ berlin school ] gert emmens mega fan