Rega VTA problem :(

[Griffy]

I'm trying to put my RB300 onto a Rega Planar 3 deck, but I have a few problems.

My arm has a VTA adjuster already, but if its fitted then the threaded portion of the arm is hardly long enough to pass out throught the bottom of the plinth, the locking nut only has a few threads to grip onto.
If I don't use the VTA adjuster, then the arm sits too low on the plinth. Even with it fitted, there is very little adjustment that can be made, as the glass platter and thick wooly mat make it just about level with no adjustment. (using an Ortofon 2M Blue cart)

I looked online and some websites mention a Rega Extended nut (link below)
Does anyone know where I can get one in the UK?

http://www.musicdirect.com/p-7448-re...ended-nut.aspx

Also the hole for the arm is slightly bigger than the diameter of my RB300 so its not a snug fit. I could use some electrical tape to make the fit better but I'm not convinced its a good idea.

I don't have any protractors or a stylus tracking gauge either, what do I need to buy to get this all set up and adjusted correctly?

Any ideas? Its an old deck but supposed to be quite good once I can get it all set up!

[DSJR]

Get the bloody thing to HiFi dave - he's not really that far from you in Norfolk. Why? because he (and I independantly) have set up hundreds of Rega decks with RB300's and he'll know in seconds if you're over-worrying about it.

My own experiences for what they're worth, have been that firstly, the RB300 series use a TAPERED arm pipe, which magnifies any supposed VTA issues. the other thing I found, which some here have disagreed with me on, so take your pick, is that the RB300 on a Planar 3 sounds best firmly bolted to the plinth (Rega may be able to supply you with the original nut which had an infill for just your issues, the infill taking up the slack in the hole and threading deeper up the arm pillar (I think it was first used on the R200).

Many of the Planar 3's I sold were with tallish cartridges (the K9 was "the thing" back then, before we switched to the 1042 Goldring). The sound was better with the arm left as-is with no spacers.

Good luck, and give friend Dave a ring to confirm what I've said.

P.S. below a pic of the R200 nut you ideally need?

[Audioman]

My guess is the VTA adjuster isn't suitable for Rega decks. Remove it and buy some spacers (available from Rega dealers). If you use a Rega cartridge these aren't necessary. For alignment protractors see Vinylengine.co.uk. It is advisable to use a stylus balance. Look for Ortofon or Shure models as I think they are still obtainable.

[DSJR]

Far alignment protractors , ask Rega to send you one of their original ones. The null point is 65mm from spindle centre. Don't worry one iota about the outer one, as it's arbitary anyway and all the distortion problems are at side end, where the groove speed is lowest and it is tightly packed together.

By the way, the Rega playing weight adjuster is quite accurate enough and BETTER than a Shure balance I once owned - just for your info

[Audioman]

Far alignment protractors , ask Rega to send you one of their original ones. The null point is 65mm from spendle centre. Don't worry one iota about the outer one, as it's arbitary anyway and all the distortion problems are at side end, where the groove speed is lowest and it is tightly packed together.

By the way, the Rega playing weight adjuster is quite accurate enough and BETTER than a Shure balance I once owned - just for your info

I got pretty much the same reading with the Shure and inbuilt adjuster. Sounds better with adjuster dialed out (max reading) and using a balance.

[DSJR]

Oh no it doesn't Well it may, but since the spring is always under tension IIRC, I'm not sure..

Gave up pratting around with this sort of thing years ago 'cos any difference at all was miniscule in the wide scheme of things, like getting your room sorted out and speakers that like it well enough

[hifi_dave]

All you need is the Rega extended nut which takes up the space in the plinth cutout and a spacer or two. Dead easy - no need for VTA adjusters and sticky tape.

[Griffy]

All you need is the Rega extended nut which takes up the space in the plinth cutout and a spacer or two. Dead easy - no need for VTA adjusters and sticky tape.

I can only find this extended nut on US websites

[hifi_dave]

I've got some here..

[DSJR]

That's where mine came from