Rega VTA problem :(

[Griffy]

I've got some here..

[Griffy]

I've got some here..

I've emailed you, it might however get filed as junk mail, as its from a mac email address, and Microsoft can get very petty sometimes, automatically marking it as a junk email!

[hifi_dave]

Hi, I have received the PM and your e-mail.

The Rega nut will go in the post as soon as poss.

[Barry]

Hmmm? Now that's interesting, because recent conversations with the good folks at Rega and at Ortofon, have lead me to believe that one cannot use the
Ortofon 2M Blue cartridge with the Rega RB 300.

No mention was made of the 'extender nut'.

[Griffy]

Thats a bit strange as its supposedly a nice match up, and has been reviewed as such

http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue39/ortofon2m.htm

It performed best on a Rega Planar 3, where the overachieving RB300 tonearm squeezed every last drop of performance. No other moving magnet cartridge I've ever heard in this price range delivers more—and I've heard just about everything.

[hifi_dave]

I've sold quite a few Blues with Rega arms with no problems. In fact, at this time I have a Blue residing in my demo RP3, sounds as sweet as a nut..

[Stratmangler]

Hmmm? Now that's interesting, because recent conversations with the good folks at Rega and at Ortofon, have lead me to believe that one cannot use the
Ortofon 2M Blue cartridge with the Rega RB 300.

No mention was made of the 'extender nut'.

From the Rega website

How do I set up my tonearm:

Q Can I adjust V.T.A (Vetical Tracking Angle) on a Rega tonearm?

A All Rega tonearms are designed to fit our range of cartridges. Other manufacturer's cartridges will fit but may have deeper bodies, which would require the use of Rega "Arm Spacers", (available from your dealer). These are available in 2mm,4mm and 10mm sizes, all of which can be used to adjust V.T.A. Your dealer will advise you on which is appropriate.

[Griffy]

I've sold quite a few Blues with Rega arms with no problems. In fact, at this time I have a Blue residing in my demo RP3, sounds as sweet as a nut..

I can't wait Dave!

Once sorted out, this RB300, Planar 3 and Ortofon 2M Blue should be very much better than my Dual CS-606 deck. I already like the Dual, so this upgrade might just blow me away!

[Barry]

Thanks for the replies Guys.

It wasn't me who spoke to Rega and Ortofon, but the seller of the Ortofon 2M Blue up for sale here. He is adamant that the Cartridge cannot be used in the RB300 arm 'as is', and that Rega stated "the arm was not designed to be used with the Ortofon cartridge". No mention was made of extender nuts.

Would seem Rega have not been particularly helpful.

[hifi_dave]

In my experience, Rega have always been most helpful and knowledgeable - bending over backwards to help when needed.

It is true that the "RB300 was not designed to be used with the Ortofon cartridge" in question, because the RB300 was designed back in 1982, a full 24 years before the Ortofon Blue.

As I said previously, I have fitted many Ortofon Blue and Red cartridges to the RB300 and now the 301 and 303. My own demo RP3 has a Blue fitted. It went on easily, was no trouble to set up and sounds great, so I don't know where the confusion stems from.

Over the years from when the RB300 was introduced, I have fitted and used, without a hitch, literally thousands of cartridges from Ortofon, Rega, Goldring, Dynavector, A&R, Audio Technica, Fidelity Research, Linn and even Decca and Koetsu. So, a little ol' Ortofon Blue is not going to be a problem.

The sleeved nut is used with older Planar turntables which have the larger cutout on the baseboard. It takes up the space, nothing more.