Hi everyone,
I recently purchased a second hand Rega RP8 from a fellow forum member who runs an audio store, this forum member was not the original owner of the table and the RP8 as a model is not that well known to him.
The table was supplied with an Ortofon 2M Black which I have mounted and aligned using a Mofi Geo Disc which uses Baerwald alignment.
The 2M Black sounds very nice and is a HUGE step up from my Beogram 4002, detail retrieval is off the charts. The arm of the RP8 does not have a spacer installed so it is sitting at standard height. With the 2M Black the arm is a little 'tail down'. Advice from my local audio store was that they have tested the 2M Black on the RP8 shimmed at 2mm and 4mm and found they preferred to leave the arm at standard height as this seems to reduce the 'forwardness' of the 2M Black a little. They said shimming by 2mm made the sound a little more 'in your face' than they liked. I have read on a few places that having VTA a little 'tail down' can do this.
1. Has anyone else had a similar experience? I was thinking of trying 2mm and 4mm shims but it seems like a lot of trouble to go to if others have already tried and found similar to my local store. I find the presentation very well balanced with a great sound stage and everything seems very well presented.
The table came supplied with a metal type platter mat (its hard and cold) which is quite thick and a Pro-ject heavy weight record puck which weighs in at about 800 grams. See attached pics. My initial concern is that with this platter mat (slab) the VTA on the arm was really really off because its a very tall mat. I have replaced it with a Blue Horizon cork mat for the time being which is working well.
2. Does anyone recognise this platter mat? I can't find any information about it on the Internet...
3. I know Rega really don't suggest using a clamp at all but with a few older LP's I have tested it does make the top end much sweeter. I believe this is a Pro-ject Heavy weight clamp. I am concerned about its weight on the bearing of the RP8 since the puck weighs 800 grams. Can anyone confirm if I should be using a lighter clamp/pluck rather than this heavy beast? Interestingly the clamp has a little intent to sit neatly into the top of the RP8 spindle.
Many thanks
Drew
