Rega RB-250 on Linn LP-12

Posted by Stephen Hayes on January 31, 2000 at 09:55:52

As I said in a previous message, I planned to install a stock Rega RB-250 on my Linn Valhalla. The Rega arm replaced a Linn Basik Plus. Cartridge is a Grado Sig. Phono amp is db Systems MM (soon to have parts upgraded), feeding an ET Foreplay preamp, feeding ParaS.E.X. 6DN7 monoblocks, feeding Energy ESM-3 speakers (about 12 years old now).

Mounting the Rega went smoothly, with one hitch (which I'll get to in a moment). The RB-250 is a longer arm than the Basik Plus and mounts further back on the armboard. Because of this, the first order of business was to route a shallow semi-circle into the corner brace directly beneath the tonearm to provide clearance. The second order of business was finding a way to add height to the Rega for correct VTA. Fortunately, a local hardware store had a large brass nut which provided a very solid bass for the tonearm and brought VTA at least into the correct range. It's still a little high, resulting in attenuated bass response and slightly overbearing highs on some LPs. I'll look further into this once other problems are straightened out.

Of course, since the Rega weighs less than the Basik Plus (even with the brass nut on the Rega), the suspension had to be redone. I took the opportunity to rotate the springs, swapping the most stressed spring (formerly under the tonearm) with the least stressed (under the motor). With everything balanced and leveled, and the bounce set just right, mounting the Grado Sig. cartridge was a snap with the template supplied by Rega with the tonearm.

How does it sound compared to the Basik Plus? Imaging solidified, back-to-front depth increased, and the whole setup took on a more dynamic presentation. Highs are smoother, too. My initial impressions will probably change as everything settles in. Plus I'll soon add an Express Machining counterweight to replace the stock Rega counterweight, and eventually I'll replace the arm's internal wiring with Cardas silver wire or similar.

The problem: I'm suddenly hearing speed instability that was not there before, and the platter is very slow to get going, sometimes requiring a little nudge. I checked to make sure that nothing was fouling the belt drive or platter, and repositioned the motor slightly so that the belt rode at the bottom of the pulley where it should be (according to the AA LP-12 faq). Still, I've got slight speed instability.

Not sure what I'll do next.

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Topic - Rega RB-250 on Linn LP-12 - Stephen Hayes 09:55:52 01/31/00 (7)

Re: a pre apology - Ken Lyon 13:32:27 02/1/00 (3)

Re: a pre apology - Stephen Hayes 13:46:14 02/1/00 (2)

yes,but... - Ken Lyon 14:00:17 02/1/00 (1)

left out something - Ken Lyon 14:26:42 02/1/00 (0)

suggestion - Ken Lyon 12:47:46 02/1/00 (2)

Re: suggestion - Stephen Hayes 13:30:35 02/1/00 (1)

Re: suggestion - Ken Lyon 13:49:50 02/1/00 (0)

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