Become a Site Supporter and Never see Ads again!

Author Topic: Any Rega RP-1 owners out there? I have questions...  (Read 21388 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline acidjack

  • Site Supporter
  • Trade Count: (37)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *
  • Posts: 5845
  • Gender: Male
Any Rega RP-1 owners out there? I have questions...
« on: April 25, 2012, 12:54:45 PM »
Have had one for a couple months and am experiencing what I think are some problems.  The bad news is that this is basically the only "real" turntable I have owned, so I not only don't know "what to expect" but also don't really even know how to operate/calibrate it properly (even though it's a very simple machine). 

Short version is I can hear the record moving when I listen to it (the slight "ka-thunk" every time the record moves) in very quiet passages.  Also, I have a couple of records where there seems to be obvious distortion in one channel.  The playback system other than the turntable works fine.

Some of the questions I have are really elementary, but the manufacturer essentially provides no manual whatsoever (it tells you a brief bit about calibration, mostly related to changing the cartridge, not how to make the one you have work correctly).

Help from someone with patience would be appreciated.
Mics: Schoeps MK4V, MK41V, MK5, MK22> CMC6, KCY 250/5, KC5, NBob; MBHO MBP603/KA200N, AT 3031, DPA 4061 w/ d:vice, Naiant X-X, AT 853c, shotgun, Nak300
Pres/Power: Aerco MP2, tinybox v2  [KCY], CA-UBB
Decks: Sound Devices MixPre 6, Zoom F8, M10, D50

My recordings on nyctaper.com: http://www.nyctaper.com/?tag=acidjack | LMA: http://www.archive.org/bookmarks/acidjack | twitter: http://www.twitter.com/acidjacknyc | Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/acidjacknyc

Offline Fatah Ruark (aka MIKE B)

  • Trade Count: (11)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 9940
  • Gender: Male
  • I dream in beige.
    • sloppy.art.ink
Re: Any Rega RP-1 owners out there? I have questions...
« Reply #1 on: April 25, 2012, 02:18:43 PM »
I'm no expert either, but I'm under the impression that if you get distortion in one channel your cartridge needs to be aligned. I should be 100% vertical. If not the needle will ride on one wall more than the other in the groove.

I bought my turntable from a local shop so they would do all that for me. Might be worth it to pay someone to set it up.
||| MICS:  Beyer CK930 | DPA 4022 | DPA 4080 | Nevaton MCE400 | Sennheiser Ambeo Headset |||
||| PREAMPS: DPA d:vice | Naiant Tinybox | Naiant IPA |||
||| DECKS: Sound Devices MixPre6 | iPod Touch 32GB |||
|||Concert History || LMA Recordings || Live YouTube |||

Offline George

  • May the schwartz be with you!
  • Trade Count: (7)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 4521
  • Gender: Male
  • Unofficial TS thread killer
Re: Any Rega RP-1 owners out there? I have questions...
« Reply #2 on: April 25, 2012, 02:46:48 PM »
In Living Stereo is an authorized Rega shop...maybe they can help you out.

http://www.inlivingstereo.com/

Nice guys from all the times I've been in there to audition Rega speakers.
SP-CMC-4s (C, H, SC terminated to mini xlr)>Tinybox>Sony M10/Tascam DR-2d
Countryman B3 (Omni, mini xlr)>Tinybox>Sony M10/Tascam DR-2d
Audix 1200 series cable from Chris Church, pair of Audix M1280 card capsules

Listening: Oppo 980HD>Yamaha RXV667>Rega R1's + Rega RS VOX + Rega R5S's

"Every time I see a group of teenagers gathered around an iphone laughing at some youtube video, I walk up to them, slap the iphone out of their hand, get right up to them nose to nose, and scream at the top of my lungs:

TAKE A LOOK

IT'S IN A BOOK

READING FUCKING RAINBOW."

Offline acidjack

  • Site Supporter
  • Trade Count: (37)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *
  • Posts: 5845
  • Gender: Male
Re: Any Rega RP-1 owners out there? I have questions...
« Reply #3 on: April 25, 2012, 03:02:29 PM »
In Living Stereo is an authorized Rega shop...maybe they can help you out.

http://www.inlivingstereo.com/

Nice guys from all the times I've been in there to audition Rega speakers.

Thx man, I'm guessing In Living Stereo is the ticket for sure. 

So here is one of my super-idiot questions - the turntable comes with a cloth pad on top of the platter.  That is a dust cover, right, and not something that you leave on there when playing..? 

Mics: Schoeps MK4V, MK41V, MK5, MK22> CMC6, KCY 250/5, KC5, NBob; MBHO MBP603/KA200N, AT 3031, DPA 4061 w/ d:vice, Naiant X-X, AT 853c, shotgun, Nak300
Pres/Power: Aerco MP2, tinybox v2  [KCY], CA-UBB
Decks: Sound Devices MixPre 6, Zoom F8, M10, D50

My recordings on nyctaper.com: http://www.nyctaper.com/?tag=acidjack | LMA: http://www.archive.org/bookmarks/acidjack | twitter: http://www.twitter.com/acidjacknyc | Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/acidjacknyc

Offline nickgregory

  • Admitted Jeter Homer
  • Trade Count: (2)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 22376
  • Gender: Male
    • Hurricanes Insider
Re: Any Rega RP-1 owners out there? I have questions...
« Reply #4 on: April 25, 2012, 03:05:13 PM »
In Living Stereo is an authorized Rega shop...maybe they can help you out.

http://www.inlivingstereo.com/

Nice guys from all the times I've been in there to audition Rega speakers.

Thx man, I'm guessing In Living Stereo is the ticket for sure. 

So here is one of my super-idiot questions - the turntable comes with a cloth pad on top of the platter.  That is a dust cover, right, and not something that you leave on there when playing..? 



that felt circle is meant to be left on when you are playing it.

Offline macdaddy

  • Trade Count: (10)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 7657
Re: Any Rega RP-1 owners out there? I have questions...
« Reply #5 on: April 25, 2012, 04:33:50 PM »
what nick said...

the felt protects the record from turntable surface.
-macdaddy ++

akg c422 > s42 > lunatec v2 > ad2k+ > roland r-44

Offline Fatah Ruark (aka MIKE B)

  • Trade Count: (11)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 9940
  • Gender: Male
  • I dream in beige.
    • sloppy.art.ink
Re: Any Rega RP-1 owners out there? I have questions...
« Reply #6 on: April 25, 2012, 04:39:07 PM »
I would think the lack of the felt mat wouldn't help things.

I thought one of the advertised features of the Rega decks (at least the entry level ones) was that they came pre-set up out of the factory.

||| MICS:  Beyer CK930 | DPA 4022 | DPA 4080 | Nevaton MCE400 | Sennheiser Ambeo Headset |||
||| PREAMPS: DPA d:vice | Naiant Tinybox | Naiant IPA |||
||| DECKS: Sound Devices MixPre6 | iPod Touch 32GB |||
|||Concert History || LMA Recordings || Live YouTube |||

zowie

  • Guest
  • Trade Count: (0)
Re: Any Rega RP-1 owners out there? I have questions...
« Reply #7 on: April 26, 2012, 12:40:55 PM »
Re the left channel distortion, make sure the deck is perfectly level.  Use a bubble level.

If you're playing used records, one groove wall may have been damaged, especially if they all came from the same prior owner.

But I agree that cartridge alignment is the most likely culprit.

There is nothing mystical about setting up a turntable as some of the uber high end fetishists would have one believe.  You can find instructions all over the net.

Offline acidjack

  • Site Supporter
  • Trade Count: (37)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *
  • Posts: 5845
  • Gender: Male
Re: Any Rega RP-1 owners out there? I have questions...
« Reply #8 on: April 26, 2012, 03:03:47 PM »
Re the left channel distortion, make sure the deck is perfectly level.  Use a bubble level.

If you're playing used records, one groove wall may have been damaged, especially if they all came from the same prior owner.

But I agree that cartridge alignment is the most likely culprit.

There is nothing mystical about setting up a turntable as some of the uber high end fetishists would have one believe.  You can find instructions all over the net.

It's brand new as are most of the LPs I have...

I am an idiot re: the mat.  Thanks for the heads up...

The table seems quite level....  And yeah, Rega makes it sort of idiot proof, but for instance, there is a "bias selector" on it that it's not really explained where to set. 
Mics: Schoeps MK4V, MK41V, MK5, MK22> CMC6, KCY 250/5, KC5, NBob; MBHO MBP603/KA200N, AT 3031, DPA 4061 w/ d:vice, Naiant X-X, AT 853c, shotgun, Nak300
Pres/Power: Aerco MP2, tinybox v2  [KCY], CA-UBB
Decks: Sound Devices MixPre 6, Zoom F8, M10, D50

My recordings on nyctaper.com: http://www.nyctaper.com/?tag=acidjack | LMA: http://www.archive.org/bookmarks/acidjack | twitter: http://www.twitter.com/acidjacknyc | Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/acidjacknyc

Offline Fried Chicken Boy

  • Trade Count: (8)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 3023
Re: Any Rega RP-1 owners out there? I have questions...
« Reply #9 on: April 26, 2012, 04:53:00 PM »
"The Bias slider should be set to the same figure as the tracking weight."  Taken from the online manual, for what that's worth.  I'm guessing it's an anti-skating adjustment?

If you want, acidjack, we could try to find a day where I can come over and we'll figure out what's up with your turntable.

Offline acidjack

  • Site Supporter
  • Trade Count: (37)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *
  • Posts: 5845
  • Gender: Male
Re: Any Rega RP-1 owners out there? I have questions...
« Reply #10 on: April 26, 2012, 05:11:53 PM »
^^ Yeah, that's the thing, I cannot figure out what "tracking weight" it's set to, either....

I'll email you.
Mics: Schoeps MK4V, MK41V, MK5, MK22> CMC6, KCY 250/5, KC5, NBob; MBHO MBP603/KA200N, AT 3031, DPA 4061 w/ d:vice, Naiant X-X, AT 853c, shotgun, Nak300
Pres/Power: Aerco MP2, tinybox v2  [KCY], CA-UBB
Decks: Sound Devices MixPre 6, Zoom F8, M10, D50

My recordings on nyctaper.com: http://www.nyctaper.com/?tag=acidjack | LMA: http://www.archive.org/bookmarks/acidjack | twitter: http://www.twitter.com/acidjacknyc | Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/acidjacknyc

Offline twalker

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Taperssection Regular
  • **
  • Posts: 178
  • Gender: Male
Re: Any Rega RP-1 owners out there? I have questions...
« Reply #11 on: April 26, 2012, 05:45:31 PM »
The RP1 has an 101 Rega tonearm.  There really is no anti skate on that arm.  As previously said the tracking weight and cartridge alignment are off.  You should take it to a dealer and have it setup.  Ask if you can watch, and then write down what they do.  In order to determine your tracking weight you need a stylus pressure gauge.  The Garrard SPG3 is by far the easiest to use.  The cartridge should have an indicated tracking weight in the specs.  Without knowing the installed cartridge I can't tell you the recommended weight.  You would align the cartridge with an alignment protractor.  Rega has a cardboard cutout supplied with all of their arms.  You make sure the needle is in the center of the x and it lines up on the picture.  Then you adjust the tonearm counterweight to balance out the gauge.

Classical rig - Mics:  DPA 4006, MH ULN2, Marantz PMD 671, Mac Book Pro

Small rig (under construction) - Neumann 184, PSP, Sony PCM D50

Playback - EAR 534, Spendor 3/5, LAT Axiom

Transfer - Mac mini, Bias Peak XT, MH ULN, Focal monitors

Offline Fried Chicken Boy

  • Trade Count: (8)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 3023
Re: Any Rega RP-1 owners out there? I have questions...
« Reply #12 on: April 26, 2012, 05:46:46 PM »
Found the following info on vinylengine.com.  A very good resource site, by the way.  The OM5 is the stylus that you have on yours, correct?

"The Tracking Force for the Ortofon OM5e is 1.5 - 2.0g with the recommendation of 1.75g. The suggestion is to set the bias slider (on the RP-1) to around the same value (using it's 0, 1, 2 markings as a reference)."

Offline twalker

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Taperssection Regular
  • **
  • Posts: 178
  • Gender: Male
Re: Any Rega RP-1 owners out there? I have questions...
« Reply #13 on: April 26, 2012, 05:51:07 PM »
Found the following info on vinylengine.com.  A very good resource site, by the way.  The OM5 is the stylus that you have on yours, correct?

"The Tracking Force for the Ortofon OM5e is 1.5 - 2.0g with the recommendation of 1.75g. The suggestion is to set the bias slider (on the RP-1) to around the same value (using it's 0, 1, 2 markings as a reference)."

Exactly. If that is the cartridge.  You can adjust the weight freehand, but it really is better to use a gauge.  If you set the tonearm weight to the set numbers and you arm slides or kicks up in the air your weight is off.
Classical rig - Mics:  DPA 4006, MH ULN2, Marantz PMD 671, Mac Book Pro

Small rig (under construction) - Neumann 184, PSP, Sony PCM D50

Playback - EAR 534, Spendor 3/5, LAT Axiom

Transfer - Mac mini, Bias Peak XT, MH ULN, Focal monitors

zowie

  • Guest
  • Trade Count: (0)
Re: Any Rega RP-1 owners out there? I have questions...
« Reply #14 on: April 26, 2012, 07:27:18 PM »
The Garrard SPG3 is WAY too course for modern turntables.  And by modern I mean like the last 40 years.  Shure makes a good, reasonably priced gauge.

 

RSS | Mobile
Page created in 0.135 seconds with 43 queries.
© 2002-2024 Taperssection.com
Powered by SMF