Rx2 vs Rega Planar 3, Possible Rx2 Upgrades Available?

Hi-

 

I'm new to this forum, joined as I just got my dad's Beogram Rx2 that he bought new back in the 70's. He had service done to it to replace the belt, ensure the motor was ok, and I have purchased a new SMMC 4 cartridge from Soundsmith for it, as well as a Graham Slee Communicater pre-amp. It played great for about a week after I got it, but the turntable and platter are now so low (especially with 180gram vinyl) that on one side the vinyl is scraping the plinth. I've got it back into a service place to have them look at the suspension. However they won't even look at it for 6 weeks as they're backed up, and the only local place that will work on B&O's. 

This has led me to begin researching new TT's in case they come back and tell me it's not fixable, or an exorbitant amount of $$, specifically looking at the Rega Planar 3 with a sub-platter and belt upgrade, together with their external power supply (a local audiophile shop carries them). 

a few people have told me that the Rega's (even the P1) will sound better than the Rx2, I think largely due to the new components. Others have told me to get a Technics 1200 and be done with it. So a few questions:

1) Are there upgrades that could be performed on the Rx2 to bring it's quality of sound and accuracy & evenness of speed up significantly?

2) Is the Rx2 in the same league as today's belt-driven TT's like the Rega's?

3) How much upkeep can I expect on the Rx2?

Thank so much for your opinions - all are welcome as I'm a newbie (well, oldie returning to vinyl is more accurate!)

 

Mark

I am not going to compare the RX2 to the tables you mention as I have no experience with them. What I will tell you is that I have owned one since 1992 (I now own and use 2 of them) and it has never needed service except new cartridges. I own and use 4 other tables (because I can), but I would have been happy just with the RX2 and a new cartridge every ten years.

The fault you describe is fixed with a flat head screw driver in literally 2 minutes. Get your table back before they break it or lie to you and we will walk you through repairing it yourself. That’s what we do here.

And welcome to the site.

Thanks Rich for the input.

Is the "flat-head screwdriver fix" that you mention adjusting the transport screws? Meaning the screws I unscrewed to "unlock" the turntable from shipping mode? I thought about that - that I might not have screwed it down enough. The other adjustment was the actual suspension adjustments which are small Philips head screws that attach to a flat piece of bent metal on one end, and the metal flap attaches to a spring on the other. However those are adjusted as far as they can be in the direction you need them to be to have the platter as high above the plinth as possible.

Please walk me through the fix you speak of, as I'll try it right in front of the service guy. 

It begs the question - what should the clearance be between the bottom of the vinyl on the platter and the plinth? Seems to me there should be plenty of clearance.

Thanks again for all the help!

 

Mark

Found very helpful info on this thread (https://archivedforum2.beoworld.org/forums/p/16818/146412.aspx#146412). Was able to get my TT back from the service tech today, and with the help of the service manual, was able to pull off the cover & plinth and raise the platter. Though it's still a little lower in the back, there's still plenty of clearance all around and the suspension is stiffer so even with the heavier 180 gram vinyl it handles it well. Thanks everyone on this forum!

2nd problem but less important is that, when I hit play the arm is supposed to move over to the beginning edge of the record and lower to play. It does this as expected about 50% of the time. The other 50% it moves over the edge of the record but does not drop. I have to hit "cue" to drop the needle on the vinyl. Not a big issue, but worrisome only that I think it might lead to other worse problems in the future. Has anyone experienced this and is there a fix?

Thanks!

 

Mark

Found very helpful info on this thread (https://archivedforum2.beoworld.org/forums/p/16818/146412.aspx#146412). Was able to get my TT back from the service tech today, and with the help of the service manual, was able to pull off the cover & plinth and raise the platter. Though it's still a little lower in the back, there's still plenty of clearance all around and the suspension is stiffer so even with the heavier 180 gram vinyl it handles it well. Thanks everyone on this forum!

2nd problem but less important is that, when I hit play the arm is supposed to move over to the beginning edge of the record and lower to play. It does this as expected about 50% of the time. The other 50% it moves over the edge of the record but does not drop. I have to hit "cue" to drop the needle on the vinyl. Not a big issue, but worrisome only that I think it might lead to other worse problems in the future. Has anyone experienced this and is there a fix?

Thanks!

 

Mark

Found very helpful info on this thread (https://archivedforum2.beoworld.org/forums/p/16818/146412.aspx#146412). Was able to get my TT back from the service tech today, and with the help of the service manual, was able to pull off the cover & plinth and raise the platter. Though it's still a little lower in the back, there's still plenty of clearance all around and the suspension is stiffer so even with the heavier 180 gram vinyl it handles it well. Thanks everyone on this forum!

2nd problem but less important is that, when I hit play the arm is supposed to move over to the beginning edge of the record and lower to play. It does this as expected about 50% of the time. The other 50% it moves over the edge of the record but does not drop. I have to hit "cue" to drop the needle on the vinyl. Not a big issue, but worrisome only that I think it might lead to other worse problems in the future. Has anyone experienced this and is there a fix?

Thanks!

 

Mark