Newly retired, new house, rekindling an old flame (music)

Alistair,

I can only half answer your question as I have the WiiM Pro and the DAC on that is IMO inferior (vastly) compared to a Rega DAC. It sounds flat with a compressed soundstage that just extends right to left between the speakers, not front to back as well. However I understand the Pro had a DAC upgrade, so if it has that may have changed.

I have both COAX and Optical available as outputs into the Elex, same as with the separate Rega DAC, but I pretty much always use COAX from the WiiM. Do they sound different? I think so, but I wouldn't bet a pint on winning a blind test. All I can say is that subconsciously I seem to prefer COAX as it never seems to stay on Optical for long, but that is a very subjective view. You might sit in my seat and think I'm wrong.

But you have answered your own question - there is really only one answer and that's to try it out for yourself and see which you prefer, especially if it's something you're wondering about?

I'm a great believer in that opinions on what's better is only something you can answer. You may often hear a difference when you change something, but does that mean it's better - or is it just different? I would wait awhile before changing things too - then go back again to see which you like the most.

My personal opinion is the Rega is a better DAC, but that's better for me as I prefer it. I am also used to the Rega DAC sound as I've used a Rega DAC for 15 years now and I like how it sounds. But I don't tend to change gear very often, in fact I find it stressful - when I hear something I like I tend to stop and just enjoy the music.

I had a Brio R and separate Rega DAC for 15 years before the Elex and I understand the DAC chip and circuitry is the same in the Elex.

As to the extra processing features - I've just looked at the EQ section in the WiiM app . . . crikey look at that lot! I think I've looked at them before, but that's as far as I've ever got.

That probably doesn't help at all . . . !

Personally, I would see if I could borrow a decent RCA cable from HiFi Hut, and try it out myself.
You may find that the AKM is more accurate, but the Wolfson gives you the soul of the music, which is what you were looking for.

Afternoon all,

A quick update for those who've been following along – and another request for the collective wisdom.

The system has been in place for just over a week now. I've been listening every evening, and I'm still absolutely delighted. The Rega and Lintons continue to put a smile on my face. I've been working my way through old favourites (Nina Simone, Zeppelin, Joni, Coltrane) and even dabbling in some new discoveries via the WiiM. No regrets. None.

So, all is well. Or it was, until yesterday.

My daughter-in-law – who is lovely, thoughtful, and knows I've been rediscovering music – heard I'd bought a new stereo (her words). She turned up yesterday with a gift wrapped in colourful paper. "I know you love music, and I saw this and thought of you," she said.

I opened it.

It's a vinyl record. A nice one, too – the 2022 reissue of Joni Mitchell's Blue. Beautiful sleeve. Heavy weight vinyl. Clearly chosen with care.

And of course, I don't have a turntable.

I smiled, thanked her warmly, and said it was perfect. Because it is perfect – just not for my current system.

So now I have a problem. A nice problem, but a problem.

Do I:

A) Gently tell her next time that I don't actually have a record player, but I'll treasure it anyway, and maybe use it as wall art?

B) Take this as the nudge I've secretly been wanting – and scratch the itch of adding a turntable to my system?

I'll be honest. I've been wondering about vinyl for a while. There's something about the ritual, the artwork, the physicality. And my system is already warm and engaging – a turntable might just complete the picture.

But I've spent my budget. I'd have to save up, or look for a good used deck. And I know little, now, of phono stages, cartridges, alignment – the whole vinyl world.

So, forum: what would you do? And if I go down the turntable path, where on earth do I start with a budget of, say, £500-800? Used Rega? Pro-Ject? Something else?

I wasn't expecting this twist. But maybe that's how these things are supposed to happen.

Alistair

Get a Rega Planar 3 with Nd3 cartridge and enjoy your records trouble free. The Elex has a good internal phono stage so the Rega turntable will plug right in - no worries, no complications.

I'd pick option 'A' :)

If you only have the one record just consider the cost of amassing more. Decent used copies of anything are £10. Anything popular second hand is £20 to infinity. New pressings are £25 to £200 a go.

My recommendation would also be either a Rega Planar 3 as suggested by Dave or a Project Debut Pro.

Nah, we all know the answer is B)! Itches are meant to be scratched, and Hifi_Dave knows his onions or rather his Regas - you won't go wrong with that advice.

(What a lovely daughter-in-law and thing to do!)

Martin's point is correct, the days of digging through charity shops and getting excellent albums at 50p a pop are long gone, but if you're not going crazy with the purchases it doesn't need to deplete the pension fund completely, and, at the end of the day, life's too short to not be enjoying yourself now you've finally retired. My opinion, of course, but go on, you know you want to!

Rega Planar 3 - no competition at that price point. If you use the cartridge hifi_dave has suggested, you'll have no worries about cartridge alignment or vertical tracking angles, just put Joni on, sit back and smile.

That's probably the easiest decision you've had to make so far and if you buy the two suggested items together, you won't even have to fit the cartridge!

Already owning the Elex MK4 makes it a no brainer IMHO :)

Hello Alistair,

You may be entering a whole, new and not inexpensive path with your interest in vinyl replay. But here goes:

Take Dave's advice and go for a Rega 3 with the N3d cartridge. The two are designed for one another and it is as close to a "plug and play" set up as you can find, and it is just within your budget at £800 - £850.

Go back to HiFi Hut and see if they have one. Sometimes dealers take in items as part exchange. If you are lucky they may have a used sample which they could sell to you. You would need to be assured that there is little stylus wear. And although I described the combination as 'plug and play', it would be best to have dealer set it up for you to achieve optimum performance.

So that is the encouraging part. The less than encouraging part is to pay heed to what Martin has said: new vinyl is expensive and buying used LPs is a minefield when it comes to sums paid and checking the condition of the record; visual appearance is not the only indicator. Also vinyl is a delicate medium: it has to be handled carefully, cleaned carefully and an eye kept on condition of the stylus. But if you find this routine attractive then there is little to stop you.

The phono stage in the Rega Elex Mk4 is superb so should sound excellent with the Rega planar 3.