Some of the older model Rega turntables like Planars'(2/3/25) may run a bit fast to certain TT owners. Does it matter? Can we live with it? It all depends on you ....

Some say they like it that way - that's "Rega sound"!

Enthusiatic tweakers around the world ask if a bigger sub-platter would help to change the speed of their TT's slower? Yes, of course; speed of a belt-driven TT is dependent on the diameter of the sub-platter. So increasing the diameter of sub-platter is one way to slow down the TT speed.

In my tweaking path, experimenting on a bigger sub-platter to slow down the speed of Planar closer to 33.3rpm/45rpm is possible.

At the moment, other than the standard sub-platter ALSP1, I have also made this bigger version ALSPB available for those who would like the speed of their TT's to be slower.  

This ALSPB sub-platter would slow down your TT speed a bit bring it closer to your desired speed though I can't guarantee "exactly" 33.3rpm/45rpm since there are other variables which would affect the TT speed as well. 






Gert Van Essen of Netherlands has a P25 TT and ALSPB sub-platter upgrade is his newest tweak in attempt to correct the speed of his TT. Here's his comments:

Hi Michael, Thank you very much for the very quick delivery of the sub platter. I received it june 28th, i.e. within 10 days after you sent it to me. A few days ago I installed the platter on my P25 without any problems thanks to your adequate instructions.  The following days I let it run in as you advised. My first impressions are of an amazing improvement. It is the best tweak I made to my Rega. And I did a few in the past years. I began tweaking – as so many Rega owners do - with experimenting with several sorts of platter mats on the much discussed glass platter. My experience in the end is that the original mat made of wool – but not the felt mat – used without any pressure of a weight or so gave the most satisfying results, i.e. if you do not want to change the platter itself. Nevertheless I myself chose to change the glass platter because there always remained some hardening of tone which I ascribed to the glass material as such. That was the beginning of new road, the road of changing the player as a coherent concept by substituting vital parts, of which some say you never must do with a Rega. But I did, just out of curiosity and as a quest for seeing myself what can be done step by step. So I substituted the glass platter for an acrylic one (which did a good thing), the P25 motor for the Rega 24 volt motor upgrade with PSU in combination with changing the belt for an so called white belt (the effect of which was marginal in my setting), the RB600 arm for an Origin Live Silver in its latest incarnation (a Rega derivative type of arm with a very clever VTA adjustment which I wanted. A definitive improvement in combination with my Lyra Dorian), and latest the phenolin sub platter for your aluminium sub platter(the model one that slows down the rotation speed a bit). As I said in the beginning this change made the most influential improvement, next to the arm change to be fair. The sound is absolutely steady now (runs a perfect 33 1/3 RPM), it’s very clean and much more open and dimensional than before. I read in the commentaries on the fora that the effect of this change could be substantial and I can confirm that wholeheartedly. It did more than I expected. It is a cliché to say, but my Rega plays in an another league now. I cannot judge on the other available sub platter substitutes on the market, but I can say that your making looks to be the most like the original so can be expected to fit in all situations without problems, is very beautifully and accurately made and has the option of two models (diameters). It performs in any case absolutely stunning. Last but not least it’s not the most expensive. That’s for the moment. I will try to send some pictures in due time.  Best regards,  Gert van Essen

Thanks Gert!

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You may remember Joe's two projects to mod his RP1 in my earlier posts : 

1. A mid-winter RP1 Upgrades in Chicago (part 1)  
2. Joe's spring project Blooms in Chicago (part 2)  

And recently, he has decided to add my acrylic isolation platform after enjoying music very much with the other tweaks:

Hi Michael,  Since adding your mods I have to say that my enjoyment of listening to my new and old LP's has been a very enriching experience! I am hearing details and layers of sound that I have never heard from the music in those grooves before! I can say that my "Lim" modded RP1 is no doubt the finest sounding deck that I have ever owned. Thank you!  My previous mods included:  Dual Pulley,  dual silicon belts  Thrust bearing  the latest top and bottom bracings  Bearing Sheath  Aluminum feet (sandy :)  Acrylic platter ( sub platter is a Groove Tracer)  Brass record clamp  Motor isolation base (an amazingly important mod!)  underslung counter-weight  I also upgraded to a Rega RB 300 tone arm with an Ortofon 2M Blue.  However it is now time for my "Fall Project"! I am adding an additional sub woofer to my pair of vintage Spica TC-1's for more detailed low end sound and more soundstage depth.  In addition, as I mentioned above I would like to order your acrylic isolation platform to fully round out my system. I'm hoping it will help with the "Rega plinth isolation problem"; something that has been on my mind lately as needing to be addressed. Im looking forward to adding it to my RP1! Joe

As usual, he has sent me pictures of his step by step installations. It would be helpful to those who intends to do the same tweak! Enjoy....

Hi Michael,  I received the Acrylic Isolation Base last Friday, September 13th. It shipped very fast, thank you!  I added it to my RP1 the next day and have been listening to it with the isolation base in place for several days now. I have to say the improvements in sound are not subtle! I thought initially that the base would help with a quieter background, with the plinth separated from my TT stand, however it does much more than that!  I am very pleased with the sonic improvements as well. Not only is the background now dead quiet but in addition the soundstage is more defined. Instruments and voice presentation seem like they have had a veil lifted from them and are now more dynamic; I hear more detail then before. The bass is tighter with more "punch".  All in all, I would highly recommend the Acrylic Isolation base to your readers. As icing on the cake, I also think it's a great companion mod to the Motor Isolation Base as well, since it gives you the option of having the Motor Isolation Base rest directly on the Acrylic Base to form a unit, thus not needing to be concerned about moving the deck along with the isolated motor moving from it's position.  As I continue to listen to my LP's Im re-discovering them with my "modest RP1", which every step of the way, has been improved with each addition of your mods.  I have sent along some photos below to show more views of the base for your readers.  Cheers!  Joe  Isolation base unpackaged and in position on my turntable stand.  A close up of the adjustable spiked feet and footers. I placed a cork pad under the footer for increased stability. (not shown in this photo) Making adjustments for leveling is very easy with the adjustable threaded spiked feet!  Leveling adjustments complete, brass center weight (a separate product) shows bubble in dead center.  RP1 in place on the base. I placed cork footers under the Motor Isolation Base (separate). Adding these makes the motor and base virtually unmovable on the acrylic base, making for excellent stability! I can now lift the motor and base as a unit, although there are other options for this.  Listening tests begin, already hearing the benefits of using the Acrylic Base!

Thanks, Joe!

* All the projects done by Joe :

1. A mid-winter RP1 upgrade project in Chicago

2. Joe's Spring Project blooms in Chicago

3. My Fall Project 

4. "Clearly" a very worthwhile RP1 modification

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Someone said " Without music, life is a mistake."

Amazing... music is something amazing in life that we can't live without. At least for you and me! The reason that we have a chance to meet up here is simple - we share the same passion in music ... in analog music!

Not only passion in analog music, but passion in tweaking turntable, seeking analog "nirvana"... and people might just call us "nuts"!

Others may not understand, but we can definitely tell the difference when each new component is added to our TT. 

Sharing with you here Kelvin(Melbourne)'s comments on aluminium feet and serrated VTA spacers upgrades : 

Dear Michael, I finally sorted out the feet on my turntable and combined with the vta spacers. I have to say it was definetly worth the effort! I don't have the technical vocabulary to describe the sonic improvements but as a keen record collector since 1978 I know 'my' music extremely well and the improvements due to your upgrades are in some cases significant! So thankyou Michael! Great products! The bass is deeper,the background is quieter and on some recordings there seems to be a lot more detail to be heard. In particular there is far less vibration to the plinth.  Amazing to think that a couple of 'tweeks' can make such a difference!  My set up is as follows:  Rega P5 RB700  Ortofon 2M Bronze,  NAD PP2i  Rega TT PSU   NAD C375 BEE   Swans Diva F6.2 Speakers Thanks again Michael!  Kevin  Melbourne.

Thanks Kelvin!

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I have always recommended the use of motor isolation base in our Rega TT's as the "treatment" for "motor vibration syndrome". This idea is not new I would say; it's very similar to those high end TT's with outboard motors whereby the motors are isolated from the plinth. You may be doubtful about the effect of this tweak, but many have tried and are happy with the significant sonic improvement.

Wesley of Virginia, USA, has picked up an used motor base from someone who couldn't use it and he's "simply blown away" as he himself has put it .... 

I am thankful to know that this particular piece of motor base has finally served it's intended purpose and become another man's treasure! 

Michael, I emailed you a bit ago about getting a subplatter. I'll be ordering that this week, but in the meantime I wanted to send you my thoughts on an isolation base that I picked up used from a fellow who couldn't use it in his rack system.  The short review: "WOW."  The longer version: That's the kind of upgrade I'd expect to cost me several hundred dollars. I'm stunned by the sound that's coming from my Planar 2 now. I really liked this table before, but the pitch wasn't perfect due to the speed instability partially caused by the standard motor mount, and the background wasn't as quiet as my two suspended tables. With the addition of the base, now the pitch is close to perfect (to my ears, at least) and the background is just as quiet as on my AR or Thorens.  Additionally, there's a whole new weight to the instruments: there's more air around each, and their position in the soundstage is much more defined. I'm simply blown away. It's a whole different table now. I can't wait to get the subplatter and pulley (which you recommended and makes sense to me), and while I'm at it, I'm planning to do the top brace, too. My Rega is now *the* table out of the half dozen that I own.  Thank you!!   Wesley Best

And here's Wesley's comment on his subsequent aluminium sub-platter upgrade:

Michael, I got the subplatter installed a couple of nights ago and it's fantastic. The biggest improvement to my ears was better separation in the bass, and overall more impact. I love it. Wesley Best

Thank you, Wesley!

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