Just spent an entertaining morning/afternoon listening to this.
http://i1058.photobucket.com/albums/...dave/021-1.jpg
The all new Rega RP8.
http://i1058.photobucket.com/albums/...i_dave/018.jpg
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Just spent an entertaining morning/afternoon listening to this.
http://i1058.photobucket.com/albums/...dave/021-1.jpg
The all new Rega RP8.
http://i1058.photobucket.com/albums/...i_dave/018.jpg
Looks smashing! Is the central part suspended by springs or foam or similar?
And of course, whats the sonic impression so far?
Regards Mike
It is a seriously good TT by any standards. I sat listening for over two hours and that's something I rarely do.
The skeleton sits on rubber/neoprene suspension within the plinth. Actually, you can use the skeleton free standing but it looks a bit sparce if you do and you don't want that when you've paid for a good TT.
Very clever and the double belt is interesting too - have Rega finally heard the wow in earlier models???????????
Certainly makes pro-ject alternatives either blingy or crude in comparison. 'Course, it won't be as good as a techie, will it :lol:
Takes some serious expertise and major investment to make such a turntable. I don't think any part is shared with other Rega turntables and all are custom made.
I think it looks fab and look forward to hearing one when I next visit :)
How much and when available?
Available next month and £1600 without cartridge.
Bargain then :)
There's an awful lot to it which you can't appreciate from my naff pics. I've seen plenty of turntables which are no more than a slab of chipboard with a bearing and cheap motor selling for a lot more than this. You will see what I am on about when you come over next.
Is there likely to be a model above this Dave? One that uses a ceramic platter (and other bits...).
There will be at least one other above the RP8 but I know very little about it other than it's a totally skeletal design. Each one gets lighter and stiffer.
Dave,
Looks like Rega have engineered a seriously good TT at last. Judging by the visual quality and added design sophistication this should be a big step up from previous models.
Paul.
Ah, I thought so, thicker core and CF skins - that's the one I'm looking forward to.Quote:
Originally Posted by hifi_dave
The RP8 is constructed from some form of hard foam with a Phenolic skin. The arm braces are a Magnesium alloy or somesuch. The result is very rigid but extremely lightweight. It almost floats out of the carton.
What surprised me was that just about every component is new - nothing carried over from previous models.
What is the base made of? A plexiglass?
What is the platter made of?
I really don't see too much for the $2600 price US.
Quote:
Originally Posted by bacobits
Rega are to be applauded for designing a completely new turntable, especially during such tough economic times and for a market which does show some growth but who's future is far from certain. Well done Rega. Nice looking deck too by the way.Quote:
Originally Posted by hifi_dave
No Den you are right, it doesn't make any sense in your market, you can buy a VPI Classic for $2800 which is much better t/t than ANY Rega.Quote:
Originally Posted by bacobits
That is a bit sweeping Peter, shouldn't you at least listen to one first before making such statements? I'm not a huge fan of Rega either, but this deck appears to be in a different league to their previous efforts...
I wonder why they don't do more to make a torturous path between motor and bearing, it would seem the more circuitous the route for any noise from the motor to reach the bearing the better.
Seems like the arm on yer first pics is a bog standard Rb-300?
Have Rega abandoned the three point fixture?
Regards Mike
It looks like an RB303 to me ;)
http://www.rega.co.uk/product_images...03-PROFILE.gif
You have seen and heard it then ???Quote:
Originally Posted by PLINIUS
Typical 'bash Rega' comment.
It is an RB 808, with the new arm tube casting which is thinner, lighter and stiffer than the previous models. It has a higher grade of bearings and their new cable which will be used for incons later in the year.Quote:
Originally Posted by synsei
Looks similar to the old RB's but is entirely different - see my post above and has the 3 point fix.Quote:
Originally Posted by AlfaGTV
Ålrajt then...
*Adjust focus and look again*
:rolleyes:
nah, cant see the three point fixture in your piccies, but if you say so...
Assume it is made from some alu alloy now then?
/Mike
The pics aren't the best, I can never get them sharp with this camera.
Definitely 3 point fixing.
Not at all Dave, firstly I don't dislike the Brand, I have Rega Exor monoblocks & have owned 3 of their t/ts but, unlike the faithful, I have always been aware that the design has it's limitations. The VPI is better engineered, better made, more capable, & is far better value on the U.S. market, as I previously stated.Quote:
Originally Posted by synsei
Having recently compared the VPI to a P9, there is a gulf in performance between them, one that would reguire a giant leap of faith & a lot of denial to want to spend that much money on a product offering far less material value.
As for sweeping statements, how about the praise for a product by those who have not heard it themselves. All I ask for here, is a bit of perspective.
I would actually like to hear what the best Rega decks can do - the temptation is to assume that lightweight construction means lightweight sound ...
Something like the VPI that has been mentioned (which I haven't heard either) looks so much more solid and it's as though you can see you are getting better value for money.
This is all perception of course, but perhaps is what Rega are fighting against at this level of the market, to persuade people like me to part with their cash.
Pretty much what I would expect from a Rega dealer, read what I said & deal with it in an adult manner rather than resorting to unfounded claims of Rega bashing.Quote:
Originally Posted by hifi_dave
Julian
I used to think that lightweight construction means a lightweight sound but that isn't necessarily true, as the RP8 proves. High mass can lead to high levels of colouration but not necessarily so. It all depends on the implementation.
Sorry to bang on about it but the RP8 is a very clever piece of engineering and workmanship. It's not just a slab and a heavy platter. There is much more to it than that, which isn't apparent with my pics.
You're not a million miles away - why not come over when I have mine on demo ?
You still haven't answered the question as to whether you have heard an RP8 Peter, you will be on safer ground if you have ;)
You can't pass judgement on an RP8 based on a listening sesh with the RP9, they are entirely different designs. I take your point on the 'perceived' value argument, but looks don't tell you how it will sound...
You obviously can't deal with the truth.Quote:
Originally Posted by PLINIUS
Rega bashing appears to be one of your specialities. You haven't heard the RP8, you haven't touched the RP8 and you haven't even seen the RP8 so how can you possibly criticise it and recommend another TT over it ?
Incidentally, the VPI Classic is over £2700 here.
Most kind - I might well take you up on that!Quote:
Originally Posted by hifi_dave
You're also in a part of the country I like - I'd like a return visit to Audley End ...
Why not ? You won't get any form of hard sell here..:)Quote:
Originally Posted by julesd68
More to the point Dave, have you heard either t/t. No Rega, to date, can compete with the VPI & although the P8 LOOKS to be possably their best effort so far, it is unlikely that it will come close.Quote:
Originally Posted by synsei
What has that got to do with anything, my coments were to a US member & pertained only to that market. Try to look beyond your own self-interest & actually read what I said. I doubt that the truth is something you know a lot about, you have presented no argument, just name calling, which speaks volumes about you.Quote:
Originally Posted by hifi_dave
Not too happy with your inferences and aggression. This really isn't what we expect on AOS.
You are very perceptive and yes, I am a Rega dealer and have been for almost 40 years but I also stock a range of different manufacturers' turntables.
There was no "self-interest" intended. As a Rega dealer I was giving the AOS forum a sneak preview of a turntable they will, no doubt, be hearing a lot about in the coming months.
Unlike you, I have actually seen and heard the RP8 you are damning.
Ok, guys, I've been watching this one for the last hour and it's going nowhere constructive, especially now that things are getting personal. I suggest that you simply agree to disagree and move on.
The thread was started to discuss the RP8, therefore I insist that the discussion progresses now in terms of those who've listened to the turntable in question expressing their legitimate opinions, and/or those who are possibly interested in buying one, expressing theirs.
Any further 'niggling' will be removed without further warning.
Marco.
Well Marco, in the spirit of AoS I find it difficult to understand how anybody can dismiss a product without having listened to it first. To quote Duncan Bannatyne from Dragon's Den, "It is utterly ludicrous..." :)
Can I point out that Rega are very popular in the US and many over there prefer them to VPI. I would guess both RP8 and VPI Classic 1 would sell for under $3000 over there. Only listening to both is going to determine which sound best or which presentation is prefered. I don't think Peter has any right to advise potential US customers based on his experience of previous Rega products. I have only heard a VPI Classic 3 which is a bit special for the money though at a much higher price.
Paul.
http://i1058.photobucket.com/albums/...i_dave/020.jpg
Oh and another shot.
That is kinda neat, almost a piece of art and I rather like it actually.
I actually prefer it without it's clothes on, it's quite sexy... ;) Can we have a shot of it in skeletal form but with it's platter on please Dave?
Sorry but that's all I've got. I should have taken some more pics but time was tight. When I get my demo RP8 in a couple of weeks I'll oblige.
You can use it naked like this but it looks a bit mean to me.
In this shot you can make out the foam structure and the 'pips' the platter sits on.
New exit cable too. I wonder what it is?????????
Found this ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by synsei
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w63/greatgig/rp8.jpg
The first in a new range of incons and speaker cables. I'm not permitted to say more..:ner:Quote:
Originally Posted by DSJR
Thanks Tim, that looks so cool, I'd love to hear one in action... :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Tim
Hopefully, 2-3 weeks and you can pop over. Not too far away.Quote:
Originally Posted by synsei
No car Dave otherwise I'd love to :(