As you may already know, maPlatine.com proposes turntable and phono cartridge packages. These combinations are designed to be the most effective and affordable ones in their price range. No need to rack your brain finding the perfect match anymore, our specialists have done it for you! Today, we’re going to take a look at some of the most sold packages.
Debut Carbon turntable and 2M Red
Let’s begin this package review with an essential product from the analogue world: the Debut Carbon turntable mounted with the 2M Red cartridge. This special edition, which was created a few years ago, is still popular and most especially among beginners. Indeed, its affordability and accessibility make it really appealing.
PRO-JECT DEBUT CARBON TURNTABLE
Firstly, the turntable conceived by the Austrian company Pro-Ject has been slightly revisited to create this package. The first element is the motor. The turntable is provided with an AC motor, powered externally via a DC voltage. Inside, a circuit reconditions an alternating current with a stable 50Hz frequency. This motor lays on two sorbothane vibration isolation bushings in order to improve the signal-to-noise ratio. The speed can be changed manually from 33 to 45 rpm by moving the drive belt to the desired cog.
The turntable is equipped with an 8.6-inch tonearm fully moulded in carbon. This provides it with perfect rigidity and a 6g effective weight. Cables enabling connection aren’t captive, which means they can be replaced to upgrade the turntable for example. Just like the cables, the platter can be replaced by an improved version. The standard turntable features a steel platter, but you only need to replace it by the Acryl It from the Austrian manufacturer to drastically improve playback. To top it all, the turntable is supplied with a replaceable felt platter mat and a dust cover.
2M RED CARTRIDGE
This phono cartridge we personally mounted and adjusted is in fact a moving magnet cartridge (MM), the very popular 2M Red from Ortofon. It marks the arrival of the equally famous 2M from the manufacturer. With this range, the Danish manufacturer has partnered with Moller Jensen Design which allowed to drastically reduce distortions. The technology used consists of a 2-part magnet enabling to create a magnetic system. It allows the cartridge to offer a reproduction similar to that of a moving coil cartridge (MC). As for the stylus, it is elliptically shaped.
TESTING AND LISTENING
Regarding playback, this combination is more than convincing. The turntable and cartridge together offer remarkable accuracy and balance. The soundstage is stunningly detailed for this price range. We can hear optimization choices for the signal-to-noise ratio. Thanks to its technical characteristics, this turntable can be suitable for a wide music repertoire such as Jazz, Blues, Classical, as well as Pop or Rock.
To sum up, this Debut Carbon turntable and 2M Red cartridge combination is truly versatile. Its conception makes it easy to use even for beginners and allows to listen to a wide variety of music. Moreover, Pro-Ject designed it to enable upgrades, which is a real plus. Indeed, this turntable is able to evolve alongside its audience, even with audiophile beginners. A very good compromise to start in the analogue world!
Planar 2 turntable and 2M Blue
For this second package, we’re going to take a look at a maPlatine.com exclusivity. In other words, you can’t find this combination anywhere else. It’s the turntable from the English manufacturer Rega, the Rega Planar 2 associated with the Ortofon 2M Blue cartridge. In reality, a third product completes the package: the Rega spacer. It allows the tonearm to be at the right height (VTA). To please every music lover, this package is available in three finishes: black, white and walnut.
REGA PLANAR 2 TURNTABLE
Regarding the turntable, this model is closer to the Rega Planar 3 accessible version than a Rega Planar 1 improved version. Indeed, it’s not obvious at first glance. The Rega Planar 2 turntable consists of an acrylic or wood laminated plinth. This characteristic makes it rigid and therefore limits vibrations. This plinth lays on three rubber stands which allow to further decouple the plinth from the surface below and limit audio interference. As for the platter, it’s made of Optiwhite. This is a very transparent-looking silicon which is here 10mm long. Below the platter, there’s a sub platter that was specifically redesigned and improved for this Planar 2 to provide the least amount of frictions and mechanical noises possible. Speaking of mechanics, the turntable is equipped with a 24V motor similar to the one found on the Planar 3. The electronic board is slightly different however.
The tonearm is 9 inch long. It’s the RB220 MkII tonearm which also fits between the RB110 and RB330 tonearms. In practice, it’s visible through the presence of bearings, which are provided with frictionless ball bearings.
ORTOFON 2M BLUE CARTRIDGE
The 2M Blue cartridge is the 2M range’s second cartridge from Ortofon. It’s a superior model to the one we’ve mentioned before. Just like the 2M Red, the 2M Blue comprises a magnetic system which lies on a divided magnet. The 2M Blue phono cartridge has the same generator as its little sister, the 2M Red. As for the stylus size, the profile is an elliptical-shaped Nude which allows to read vinyl record microgrooves thoroughly.
Besides both products, the package also features a spacer. It allows to adjust the tonearm in height to insert the cartridge. We personally test and adjust the turntable before delivery, you just have to enjoy your vinyl record collection!
TESTING AND LISTENING
The Planar 2 turntable and 2M Blue cartridge works wonders. Together, they offer detailed and rich reproduction. Playback is rhythmic and upbeat. High frequencies are defined without being aggressive. As for bass, it’s deep and even structured and articulated. We can hear Rega’s typical English sound in the reproduction, without it being too much. Instrument placement is stunningly easily. Balance is very realistic and demonstrative.
This turntable and phono cartridge package is designed for audiophiles seeking more nuanced and English tones. This Planar 2 and 2M Blue combination offers a specific and more assertive sound. Once again, the package allows upgrades like with the platter mat for example.
Planar 3 turntable and Elys 2
This last package is clearly higher-end. This is not a combination accessible for beginners anymore, but a package designed for music lovers wishing to get the English sound’s roundness. As you can imagine, all products inside this package are from Rega.
REGA PLANAR 3 TURNTABLE
This turntable is clearly superior to the two previous ones. Regarding the plinth, Rega chose to keep an acrylic plating for the sake of rigidity and interference limitation. The metallised skin phenolic brace (double brace) maintains the bearing/tonearm distance. The bearing as well as the sub platter have been improved for better manufacture and adjustment. A 12mm transparent silicon platter lays on the bearing. The whole structure lays on three steady stands designed to limit vibrations from the surface below. Therefore, the set is skilfully designed to minimise vibrations and interference, which makes the turntable very rigid.
As we mentioned earlier, the Rega Planar 3 motor is similar to the one found on the Planar 2. The only difference being the improved board which allows to further refine the consistency of the set. It’s worth knowing that the turntable features a significant upgradable element: the aluminium pulley-equipped turntable can be connected to a Rega NEO PSU external power supply to improve sound dynamics and facilitate speed regulation between 33 and 45 rpm.
Once again, the turntable steps up its game thanks to its tonearm. This time, it’s the RB330 designed by the manufacturer especially for this turntable, after years of research. All aspects were taken care of. Just like its little sister, the Planar 2, the tonearm features new bearings eliminating frictions. The tube’s shape was redesigned to reduce resonance, and the stand was stiffened and better adjusted. The counterweight was revisited to support 100g. To complete the set, cables were also revamped and replaced by lower capacitance conductors and new RCA plugs.
ELYS 2 CARTRIDGE
The Elys 2 phono cartridge is the perfect pairing for the Planar 3. Indeed, this cartridge was designed to be perfectly associated with these English turntables. Regarding technical details, this cartridge is made from an industrial polymer moulding to obtain higher solidity than steel. Coils are hand-wound. As for the stylus, it is elliptically shaped.
TESTING AND LISTENING
Like usual with Rega, we can hear the signature roundness and presence. Reproduction is balanced and the soundstage is superb. The dynamic range is also enhanced. Vocals are very well placed with a nice substance allowing to feel all the emotion of vinyl records. Overall balance is respected and this combination provides a true Rega reproduction. This package is made for demanding music lovers who already know what they’re searching for in terms of playback. Like always, upgrades are possible, which makes it an adaptive turntable.
And so we have completed our non-exhaustive tour of the most popular turntable and phono cartridge packages. With different assets and components, these packages allow to find happiness among all the possible combinations. Moreover, each one of this package can be upgraded, a clear indication of adaptability and durability. It’s worth knowing that on maPlatine.com, whenever you order a turntable with a phono cartridge, we test it, mount it and adjust it before delivery, so you can enjoy you collection of vinyl records upon arrival! But if you still need some help for your research, feel free to contact us via email or telephone. Our article on the questions to ask ourselves before buying a turntable may also help you.