Rega RP1 Performance Turntable
Its classic Planar turntable goes back to the seventies and was a budget belt drive deck employing a solid plinth rather than the suspended chassis that has been utilized in the first sixties onwards in lots of quality turntables. Keeping with tradition, Rega's latest entry-level turntable RP1 can be a solid plinth and is supplied in the Performance Pack upgraded variant as seen here, which includes a Bias 2 moving magnet cartridge, an updated drive belt plus a 100% natural wool turntable mat.
The plinth can be obtained in three finishes - cool gray, white or titanium. It sits on a typical Rega plastic sub-platter that's driven by an upgraded drive belt to enhance speed stability and correctness, as part of the Performance Pack upgrade. The speed change between 33 and 45rpm is manual along with the platter has to be eliminated to transfer the drive belt over both motor pulleys. It feels nicely engineered, although basic. For example, a high quality precision bearing that is main is employed, taken from the more expensive versions of Rega.
The provided arm is the RB101, which is Rega's new entry level offering and replaces the celebrated RB100. The Rega Prejudice 2 moving magnet cartridge is fitted using an elliptical stylus. As with all the Endeavor deck, the RP1 will need to be connected to amplifier phono input or a phono stage configured using a moving magnet cartridge to be used.
Sound quality
Beginning using the Stravinsky track, the drum strikes have become powerful, but a tad less actual than with the Goldring cartridge. Going to the Borodin, I find the choir is nicely situated behind the orchestra as well as the performance is smooth and melodic.
Artwork's sung solo with piano on Bridge seems slightly recessed and the high frequency detail is only a little limited. Having said that, I consider the performance, to be very musical typically effortless and indeed.
Additionally, Miles Davis' trumpet is somehow strident although not shrill or, dare I say, brassy. I'm drawn into the performance and the Prejudice 2 seems very much in its component with jazz and the music flows along effortlessly. The picture spread between the loudspeakers is not actually bad and I 've the stereo version of this recording as well as the instrument focus is spot on, showing superb stereo imaging.
Letting my hair down, the Laurent Garnier attempt is filled with energy, but I do find the high squeals are far more recessed. Nevertheless, when the heavy bass line kicks in, it manages to get the woofers in my loudspeakers move some air and massage my kneecaps - stuff that is great.
