Pictures: courtesy of David of Essex, England
David and his Rega RP1.....
Part 1 : The story of single pulley (33.3/45rpm)
"I have been the happy owner of a Rega RP1 since last October after rediscovering the magic of vinyl once again. I had previously owned a Rega Planar 3 in the early 90's. Whilst I was finding the sound of my new RP1 to be very acceptable I couldn't help but be very disappointed with it's light weight build quality compared to what I remember of my Planar. So over a course of time I have been steadily improving it. First a glass platter then an after market subplatter. Each upgrade being very worthwhile in both sound and build quality."
"I decided to try your metal upgrade pulley next as the upgraded subplatter only served to highlight the cheap and tacky looking plastic pulley right next to it! Also what had happened due to the new subplatter having raised brass isolation pads, I found the drive belt was now resting only about a millimetre or so from the top of the subplatter......"
"To be truthful I didn't expect any difference in sound quality and would have been quite happy with the improved look of the pulley compared to the plastic one and I was also hoping to be able to adjust the pulley down a few millimetres to help the belt ride more central to the subplatter......"
"I followed most of your instructions and these really helped to make the job a much easier task. So thanks for that. In the end I used my partner's nail varnish remover which states it as being acetone free. However after a few drops and a few minutes wait the pulley popped off in my fingers."
"I promptly fitted your pulley after making a thin card shim to fit under the pulley to ensure the pulley wouldn't rub against the bearing housing. Once tightened I simply pulled the card out......."
( Excellent idea, David! )
" What I was pleased about was the fact I was able to pinch a good few millimetres and so my belt now rides more central to the subplatter which I was really happy about and of course the pulley looked stunning...... "
David's impression on single pulley :
"The PRAT had improved significantly. Instruments were starting and stopping with a greater precision. Bass notes were noticeably tighter and maybe a touch deeper. The increase in noise I thought I was hearing was in fact improved detail retrieval. The soundstage was improved and imaging more precise. Some warmth that went missing with the new pulley now turns out to be a removal of another layer of colouration and veil and it's now showing up the fitted Ortofon OM5E for the budget cartridge it is. The perceived sound level is louder for the same volume and dynamics are improved. All this without the famed magic white belt upgrade or your dual pulley design. So there you have it a very good value for money upgrade........
.... I'd like to buy the 50Hz DP1 dual pulley this time. Was so impressed with the improvement from the single pulley cant wait to try this one ......."
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Stay tuned ....................
Part 2 - The story of double pulley (33.3/33.3rpm) :
"Hi Michael,
My dual pulley arrived yesterday, less than a week after postage. So thanks once again for your excellent service. Fit and finish of the pulley is exemplary. Fitting and alignment took all of 5 minutes. I am currently running the pulley with two standard drive belts. Well, what can I say? Apart from I am amazed what a difference this upgrade has made. This on top of the significant improvement your single pulley had already brought. There is not one aspect of the sound that hasn't been improved by a worthwhile degree. Most noteworthy is a reduction of surface noise, voices and instruments now have really body to them, pitch stability is much improved and the PRAT takes another huge leap forward. Bass is extended by about half an octave whilst being tighter and punchier. |
Thanks to you too, David!
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