Aluminium isolation feet suitable for Rega turntables

( Model AF-3, USD48.00 for 3pcs)
* retrofit, no filing *

Available in black now
USD51.00 for 3 pcs

New Models for New Rega Planar 1, Planar 2, Planar 3, Planar 6




Turntable feet are important; they prevent or reduce the ground-borne vibrations from reaching the turntable plinth and thus interfering with the proper tracking of the record grooves by the stylus. Most budget turntables come with rubber feet, e.g. Rega RP1 to P5, Pro-ject 1.2, Linn Axis and Thorens TD295MKIII. Rubber feet offer basic isolation but not good enough for "audiophile" decks.

We notice quite a number of the expensive models of turntables in the market are equipped with aluminium isolation feet instead of just rubber feet for better sonic performance.

(Pro-ject RPM9.1 aluminium isolation feet )>>

These aluminium feet are usually either rubber-damped or sorbothane-damped.

(Aluminium isolation feet for Rega P7 ) >>

New Aluminium isolation feet

Something newly designed for my Planar 3 TT (and other Rega TT's) : aluminium isolation feet (à la Rega P7/P9 TT feet ) of anti-resonance design, retrofit with the existing Rega rubber feet - going green!

Besides significant sonic improvement , the TT with the new aluminium feet now stands firmer and taller (by~ 1/2" or 12 mm) allowing more room for the thicker tonearm wires. It looks stunning too!

*For the much older Planar 3 with bigger rubber feet, I have seen someone got it done this way:

Alternatively, you may order my rubber feet together with the aluminium feet as follows:  

Aluminium feet with rubber feet 

(Model AF-3R, USD51.00 for a set of three pieces)

Installation is simple, just a screw driver !

1. Remove the original rubber feet and fix the aluminium ones with the screws provided.

2. Smear some vaseline on the rubber before pressing it into the aluminium feet.

2. With the help of a screw driver, press fit the rubber into the the aluminium feet.

Magic with sand

An interesting test you may want to try :

Seal the bottom holes of Rega rubber feet (e.g using tape) and fill them up with sand (about 20g or 0.7 oz) . Then retrofit them to the new aluminium feet and test. It is surprising - I used to listen with volume control set between 9 to 9.30 o'clock, but now I can get the same result between 8.30 to 9.0 o'clock and the background noise is quieter.

You can always reverse it if you wish!


Note : For other turntables e.g Pro-ject and Thorens etc, which require 4 pcs of feet, the cost is as follows: 

4 pcs aluminium feet with rubber feet 

(Model AF-4, USD68.00 for a set of four pieces)

New Adjustable Aluminium feet is available now! Read more >>

New adjustable aluminium feet
(Model AF-3AT, USD66.00 for a set of three pieces)
* Note : Suitable for smaller/newer type of rubber feet

Adjust the feet a little higher you could even put the TTPSU just below the plinth if you wish.

The new aluminium feet are suitable upgrades for Rega turntables, model RP1, RP3, P1, P2, P3, P3-2000, P3-24, P5, P25, Planar 2 and Planar 3 TT's.

Here's Migkiller1971's comments on the aluminium feet for his P25:

"I have big floorstanding Axiom m60ti speakers that are less than 3 feet away from my turntable and your feet dramatically helped in the isolation. I can now give a "HARD TAP" anywhere on the stand without getting any feedback. "

Ross of Australia commented on his upgraded P3-24 :

"Hi Michael, Just wanted you to know that I finally got my SUT back and I am astonished at the improvement gained from aluminium discs being added to the feet of my Rega.The sound is noticably more focused and nuanced. "

Charles Hansen of USA commented on his upgraded P25:

"They look beautiful and, along with the other modifications, really enhance the sound. "

Trygve Nordahl of Norway commented on his upgraded RP3 :

"Hi, received the alu feet. Tight squeeze to fit, but once done gave a notable improvement wrt more defined bass.                                  "

Nickji of United Kingdom mentioned in Vinylengine on the sand-filled feet on his RP3:

I bought Michael Lim's aluminium feet with his double pulley for my modded RP3 about 6 months ago and was impressed by the improvement in performance. At the time I filled the original inverted rubber feet (which fit into the aluminium caps) with sand at his suggestion. I guess I made a number of changes all at once so it was difficult to tell what was doing what in terms of performance gain. While I was realigning my cartridge this weekend I emptied one of the feet of sand, thinking I might go back to the original rubber feet, only to find the plinth would then be too low for the cable exit from the arm. I put the foot back without the sand in it, and low and behold the bass had seriously diminished when I next listened to the table. I took the foot off, filled it back with sand, and the bass returned.  OK, so scientifically I should have emptied all of the feet of sand, but it's a bit awkward refitting the rubber cups and I was feeling lazy. I was really impressed by the difference in sound by the a-b-a test though - it's so much fuller and richer with the sand in place. Presumably it's a bit like a sandbox but inside the feet. Someone mentioned they were going to fill their feet with modelling clay, but I'm not sure this would work as well - I suspect it's the loose particulate nature of dry sand that makes it so good at damping and helps bass response.  I'm not sure whether you can do the same thing with the P9 feet that come on some of the other Rega models? It also makes me wonder whether sand might make a good plinth material for idler turntables like the Lenco / Garrard etc?

tomytoons of USA mentioned in Vinylengine  on the modelling clay feet on his P5:

I took the Lim feet and filled them with modeling clay to avoid any mess. I also think they work pretty well.

Clayton of Snoqualmie, Washington, commented on his upgraded P3-24:

I got the package and have installed the feet - nice product! Just a comment/suggestion you may want to pass on - my original rubber feet had a slight lip which made it impossible to fit them into the aluminium feet. I mounted a hex screwdriver bit into my cordless drill and stuck the rubber feet on (small end to the chuck) and lightly beveled the edge on a piece of sandpaper...it made it possible to install them. Thanks for the great products and service! Take care, Clayton

Paul of Hungary's feedback on his new aluminium fee upgrade:

Dear Michael!  Your alu feet ROCK !!!! Whooooooooooaaaaaaaa ! Filled up with quartz sand, what a difference! I am speechless. Seriously. Thanks!  Paul, Hungary

Read Users' Comments ( 3 )

Jani Edström of Finland said :

" Listening to the Rega Planar 2 with the new pulley and motor-base is a joyful experience. Everything falls into place. Surface noise is much lower, the music more together. Bass is deeper and more distinct. There is more details in all registers. Transients are more convincing. Perspective is better. In short: the artists deliver better music than ever before in my system. So what was achieved? A better technical solution and most likely better sound without changing the motor. Costs were about the same as the motor upgrade, not counting the costs of installation the motor upgrade. That is the motor-base is a less expensive alternative than doing the motor upgrade. The motor-base not touching the plinth reduces vibrations more than just changing the motor. The only touching point is between double pulley and the two red silicone belts. Good thinking! "

Jani had also taken the trouble to send me pictures of how he installed the motor base and double pulley in detail. He said :

The procedure of changing the pulley and installing the motor-base did not take long, a couple of hours perhaps and two large cups of coffee. I was guided by the excellent pictures on your website, thank you! What I realized when I was almost finished was that the motor-base actually stands on the same surface as the player, not "hanging" in the provided rubber mesh.

And so kind of him to remind me that I had missed out the following picture in my earlier post:

" So what next? Nothing other than serious music listening at the moment. Maybe sub platter and counterweight later on just to see how far you can take a Planar 2. Right now I did the right thing and what is better than knowing that? - Jani Edström "

Jani Edström also sent another feedback on the aluminium sub-platter upgrade recently:

" Hi Michael, I have now replaced the old Rega sub-platter with your custom made aluminium sub-platter. It was an easy procedure following your instructions. The new sub-platter is very tight so I had to give it a little downward push for it to settle in the bearing housing. The change was quite subtle at first comparing with installing the motor-base and changing to the metal double-pulley. However, after letting the new sub-platter run for a few hours and while spinning some of my favorite LP's I started noticing changes in the sound. The changes are perhaps best described as more of everything, adding depth in the base as well as in the general soundscape. The background grew quieter as well the more I let the deck run. I noticed I raised the volume on the music because of the low background noise level. So, thank you again Michael for yet another fine and affordable upgrade device for the good old Rega. All the best Jani Edström

Thanks Jani for sharing with us your joyful experience and wonderful pictures!

Read Users' Comments ( 0 )

I would like to express my heartiest thanks to Harry of Norway for having the trust to use all my upgrade products save for the existing upgraded counterweight on his Rega Planar 3 TT .....

Pictures : courtesy of Harry, Norway

Trichord Dino Riia phono stage, Krell Kav-300iL amplifier,

Rauna Leira transmission line speakers

(made of concrete)

Rega Planar 3 with Audio Technica OC9, 24mm acrylic platter

Harry's feedback on the upgrades in his system:

" The sound has improved in every aspect. I really love it .....

And also thanks for the pictures, Harry!

Read Users' Comments ( 1 )