Rega Exact cartiridge

[Jamie Tate]

Anyone use or heard one of these?

I went into my local Hi-Fi store to finally upgrade to the Sure V15 cart. They tried to talk me out of it and into a Rega Exact instead. I told them I've heard enough of the Sure to know it was amazing. They agreed but were still pushing for the Rega cart. Any reason why? Could it be the tone arm height adjustment issue?

I still want the Sure because of all you guys. I've traded enough CD's to hear what the Sure sounds like (a little less top end than the Rega I'm currently using) but the better tracking and that excites me.

Can anyone help me out? Am I doing the right thing by ignoring their advice and gettng the Sure?

[cunningham]

I say go with the Sure. I have a Rega super Elys on a Rega 25, and a Dynavector XX-2 on a Rega 9. I find the Dyno great, and the Rega very compitent. I think that sums it up for the Regas, very competent. I know the Sure from my past, and it harbors good memories. Much depends on your rig, but in general, I feel there are better values out there than the Rega cartridges.

Best of luck.

[AudioEnz]

I understand that even Rega suggest that the Exact cartridge is somwhat wasted on the P3 turntable, suggesting that you really need a better turntable to get a decent improvement from the Exact over the Super Elys. A friend of mine is a good friend of the local Rega agent. He was set up with a P3 and Super Elys for that reason.

[-=Rudy=-]

Originally posted by yesman

Can anyone help me out? Am I doing the right thing by ignoring their advice and gettng the Sure?

You could get a Shure instead. :laugh: Not to knock the Rega, but to me it seems fishy when a store really pushes or insists on one specific cartridge.

[teaser5]

I have the Exact. It was recommended so that's how I went.
I have been real happy
C'mon by and give it a spin!
Cheers-
N

[Sckott]

The Exact is a great cart. The Shure is the true performer.

Another thing to think about is, if an Exact gets "screwed" by accident, you don't have the $50 stylus trade option.... That's a huge plus.

[Graham Start]

I'm guessing the Shure has a lower markup than the Rega. Stores will always push whatever they make the most money on. Can't fault them for that, it's business. I don't know of any retailers in my town that carry the Shure, they all tell me it's either a waste of money ('get this humming, dancing, mistracking Grado') or its sonics are horrid ('spend $1500 on this fancy cart which has a frequency response about as flat as the Himalayas').

I took the plunge and ordered the Shure online. It was a decision I have never regretted. I don't care what some audiophile snob says; my ears tell me that I made the right choice.

[Jamie Tate]

I really appreciate all your opinions. You've convinced me. I'm sure the Rega Exact is a great cart. I loved what the lesser Elys has been giving me but I think I'm going to go with forum favorite Shure V15. (Besides, the Rega is $500 and the Shure is $350. This helped my decision too.)

I've packed up the P3 and am taking it in for the upgrade. I'll report back later.

[Gardo]

Well you know *I* think you did the right thing!:D

I'm like Rudy: why the one-note sales strategy? Especially if they have to agree that the Shure is a fine cart?

Besides, if they're selling you the Shure for 350.00 they're making a pretty good profit. I paid 250.00 for mine, including shipping.

[Jamie Tate]

Originally posted by Gardo
Well you know *I* think you did the right thing!:D

Your CD's, along with Todd's and Sckott's, were the motivating factors in my choice. They all sounded so great.

[-=Rudy=-]

Wow...$350? At least they'll mount it for you. :) You'll enjoy it!

Jamie--I've been plowed here, but you'll have another "motivating factor" in the mail soon. Will PM when I get a chance. :)

Graham--I bought my V15 back when it first came out in the early 80's, never having heard a note out of it. And here it is 20 years later and I STILL like it! :D

Sckott: I have two or three "trade-in-able" lunched stylii sitting here waiting to send out. I may get a spare for this V15 I have now, but may also spring for the latest/greatest V15 since I still have a "classic". It's served me so well, I should have it bronzed. :)

[Jamie Tate]

How long will a well loved cart be good for? I play 5-10 LP's a week. How many years should I expect out of this thing?

[Beagle]

Originally posted by yesman
How long will a well loved cart be good for? I play 5-10 LP's a week. How many years should I expect out of this thing?
Usually a stylus will give you about 1000 hours of pleasure, but if you play clean records and you use LAST Stylus cleaner (or similar product) and STYLAST after each LP side, your stylus will probably last indefinitely.

[Sckott]

Depends on vinyl too. If 90% of your collection is VG+ or better, it'll last much over 6-8 years.

DJ's see their stylus go every 2-3.

[Ronflugelguy]

Originally posted by Beagle

Usually a stylus will give you about 1000 hours of pleasure, but if you play clean records and you use LAST Stylus cleaner (or similar product) and STYLAST after each LP side, your stylus will probably last indefinitely.


I'd tend to agree with this statement, but the cantilever will give away in this scenerio before the stylus does.

[GabeG]

Originally posted by Ronflugelguy



I'd tend to agree with this statement, but the cantilever will give away in this scenerio before the stylus does.


Completely and utterly true.

[Graham Start]

Originally posted by Sckott

DJ's see their stylus go every 2-3.

Days? Hours? :D

[Sckott]

Hours if it was a radio station of years past. I remember seeing little white Stanton cart styli lined up in a drawer like dead soldiers.

[Beagle]

Originally posted by Ronflugelguy



I'd tend to agree with this statement, but the cantilever will give away in this scenerio before the stylus does.
Actually, STYLAST can help keep the elastomer suspension from drying out and thus the cantilever collapsing, on some carts.