Rega RP1 sound issues

[rajis141]

I got the RP1 recently and have connected it to Norge pre-power combo with Wharfedale 10.6 speakers. There is a huge difference in the sound quality of the RP1 as compared to the claims and reviews I have read so far.
The sound of the RP1 is way inferior to a CD, which I hate to admit is the reality.
There is no service back up for the Rega in other cities except Bangalore.
Rega does not have a customer care email id in the first place.

I am really disillusioned by the tall claims made by Rega, since the sound that the turntable delivers lacks in Bass and Treble.

Vinyl at the moment is can be heard on old lps available. New LPs are way too expensive. The old LPs which I have sound lacking details an example is the CD of the yesteryear's "Pakeezah" sounds very good , but on RP1 sounds lacking in the details of the ghungroo and claps in the tracks.
A brand new LP sounds good but not as good as would be expected. I am listening to vinyl for the last 30 years and definitely know and appreciate the sound, but this purchase was a let down.

If any of you folks have any suggestions to improve the sound without much investment, please help.
I have the standard RP1 without the upgrade and

 

[john_k_antony]

With my very little knowledge, I can recommend some of the following tweaking.

1. Though the cart is installed in factory, some units might have a mis-aligned cart. You may want to check the alignment of the cart using a simple protractor available online

2. Check the Tracking weight is correctly set for the installed cart and also the anti skate setting is properly set.

3. The Phono stage plays a very important role. You may want to try with a different phono stage if you can borrow from your friend.

I think RP1 don't have VTA adjustment. I guess it should be proper. The tonearm should be parallel to the record surface when playing. You can check this by just looking at the tonearm and record surface when the record is being played.

BTW, I use a Project-Debut III and pretty happy with it.

Thanks,
John.

 

[jk_chaos]

From what you've said the phono stage is missing from the set up, look out for options like the Cambridge Audio or Lyrita. This would make a huge difference to the way your set up sounds, or even better go for vintage amps with built in phonos like the old Technics or NAD amps..
Secondly which cartridge do you use? An upgrade on that would make a big difference too!! Try looking up in needledoctor.com for an ortofon or grado or shure cartridges.. Just my 2 cents..

 

[Sunderpalanivel]

The records you played in RP1 sounds good on other TT ? if the record itself is of bad quality there is nothing much you could do.

 

[rajis141]

Thank you folks for all your replies.
please let me clear some missing details from my previous post:
The norge pre-power has an inbuilt phono input.
I have a Denon 29F and the old LPs sound better on Denon which is supposed to be inferior to thr Rega.
I had a detailed discussion with Mr Shyam Bajaj regarding the compatibility of the phono stage with the OM5e cartridge. After giving him the details of the specs,he confirmed that the phono stage of the pre-power is compatible for the OM5e.
I tried a 15 band/channel eq. the treble is good after equalisation, but I do not want to use an eq as this spoils the purity of sound.
I need to try another amp and phono stage.
Mr Kuruvilla an authority on vinyls has been very helpful. he has suggested replacing the RCA of the tt.
I feel it is some problem with the OM5e. Pl let me know your views.

 

[gobble]

Strongly recommend u get a good phono stage and try first.

Sent from mobile on a crappy keyboard. Pls excuse typos.

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

No half-decent TT sounds as bad as yours appears to! Possibly some phono stages might, though, although how can it be that if your Denon sounds ok through the same phone stage and amp. Baffling

I had a detailed discussion with Mr Shyam Bajaj regarding the compatibility of the phono stage with the OM5e cartridge. After giving him the details of the specs

A phono stage is either MM or MC (or both) and that is all the "compatibility" information required. TT afficionados may well have a lot to say about synergy, but the compatibility issue is straightforward: the right phono stage will work with the right kind of cartridge, and won't with the wrong kind, all the rest is just trying to make stuff better.

 

[malvai]

i think that the cartridge is not aligned properly... check the alignment... also give the cartridge at least 10 hours of burn-in... it should start opening up (i.e., if it is a new cart)... if it is an old one, then definitely it needs a re-tip...

 

[sann]

Rajis141,

I am using the Norge pre power combo with Technics SL-D3, and have rediscovered the melody in songs, which was lost since I had stopped listening to the HMV calypso mono record player. The melody which remained elusive throughout the years in the form of "that something" which we always miss in a setup, came back to me with the analog source.

The stock RIAA phono on Norge is not bad at all, infact it is quite good for non critical listening.

I feel that there is something wrong with the TT level, cart alignment, counterweight etc.

Nothing can beat vinyls in dynamics and details.(imho)

Regards,
Sann

 

[rajis141]

THE SOUND ISSUE IS RESOLVED. HERE GOES:

The problem was in the RCA wire of the turntable. This was resolved due to the help of Mr Jasdeep Singh who gave me the contact of the real guru of TT's that is Mr Kuruvilla Jacob.
After explaining my problem to Mr Kuruvilla, he immediately pointed out that the problem would be with the RCA cable. I connected the RCA cable via a connector to a DAC make RCA cable and then to the pre-amp. The difference in sound was night and day. The sound that I got after this change was true vinyl sound. I hope this helps other people who may have the same problem.

THANKS Mr KURUVILLA AND Mr JASDEEP SINGH FOR YOUR HELP.

 

[Harmeet]

THE SOUND ISSUE IS RESOLVED. HERE GOES:

The problem was in the RCA wire of the turntable. This was resolved due to the help of Mr Jasdeep Singh who gave me the contact of the real guru of TT's that is Mr Kuruvilla Jacob.
After explaining my problem to Mr Kuruvilla, he immediately pointed out that the problem would be with the RCA cable. I connected the RCA cable via a connector to a DAC make RCA cable and then to the pre-amp. The difference in sound was night and day. The sound that I got after this change was true vinyl sound. I hope this helps other people who may have the same problem.

THANKS Mr KURUVILLA AND Mr JASDEEP SINGH FOR YOUR HELP.

Hi sir,can i get your contact number,iam having this tt rega rp1 and facing same quality issue with sound output