Upgrading the subplatter on your Rega turntable can significantly enhance performance, especially if you’re facing issues like a wobbly stock subplatter. The Tangospinner Astor Subplatter stands out as one of the best upgrades available for Rega turntables. This upgrade boosts stability and elevates overall sound quality, transforming your vinyl listening experience.
Why Consider a Tangospinner Subplatter Upgrade?
A wobbly subplatter can lead to inconsistent playback, negatively impacting pitch accuracy and sound clarity. The Tangospinner Subplatter provides a precision-engineered solution that eliminates wobbling, ensuring smooth and accurate rotation. This upgrade minimizes wow and flutter, allowing you to enjoy a more immersive listening experience.
Designed for audiophiles, the Astor Subplatter integrates high-quality materials and cutting-edge engineering. Its unique design combines several key features, making it a top choice for those looking to elevate their vinyl playback.
After upgrading my cartridge to the Goldring E3, the next logical step was to tackle the wobbly stock platter. Once I complete all the essential upgrades for my Rega turntable, I’ll set it up again and consult a Hi-Fi specialist for further tuning.
Build Quality and Materials
The Astor Subplatter is constructed from polished aircraft-grade 6061-T6 aluminium, ensuring exceptional durability and stability. This material choice means the subplatter can withstand regular use while maintaining top performance.
Paired with an extended spindle made from low-carbon 316L stainless steel, the subplatter is engineered for smooth, accurate rotation. The quality of these materials plays a crucial role in enhancing the overall performance of your turntable.
Additionally, the subplatter features dual silicone inserts in the hub and spindle. These inserts act as decoupling stages, significantly reducing unwanted vibrations and ensuring a firm grip on the platter, which helps improve sound clarity and reduce distortion.
Key Features of the Tangospinner Subplatter Upgrade
The Tangospinner Subplatter Upgrade comes with several key features that significantly enhance the performance of your Rega turntable. It includes low friction bearing surfaces, which minimize resistance for smoother rotation and improved speed stability. The extended stainless steel spindle ensures precise alignment and better contact with the bearing, leading to more consistent performance.
A stainless steel ball bearing is also included for smoother operation and reduced wear, while a high-quality butyl belt further enhances the turntable’s rotational stability.
Sound Improvements with the Tangospinner Subplatter
In terms of sound improvements, upgrading to the Astor Subplatter can bring a noticeable difference. You’ll experience less distortion, as mechanical noise is reduced, resulting in cleaner, more accurate sound.
The quieter background allows the music to shine with minimized vibration, and the enhanced soundstage improves instrument separation for a more immersive experience. Precise engineering also ensures better pitch accuracy by maintaining consistent speed and significantly reducing wow and flutter.
Compatibility
The Astor Subplatter, with its 11.5 mm hub height, is compatible with a wide range of Rega turntables, including the Rega P1, RP1, P2, and P3-24, as well as both original and 2016 versions of the Planar 2 and Planar 3 models. It also works seamlessly with Planar 5 and Planar 25 models.
Whether your turntable has an MDF fibre, resin, glass, acrylic, or Delrin® platter, the Tangospinner Astor Subplatter is a versatile upgrade option for many Rega turntables.
Installation: Quick and Easy
One of the standout features of the Tangospinner Astor Subplatter is its straightforward installation. You don’t need technical expertise to replace your stock subplatter. Tangospinner provides a detailed PDF instruction manual, guiding you through the process. Installation is hassle-free and can be completed in just a few minutes.
I installed the subplatter on my Rega Planar 1, and the whole process took about 10 to 15 minutes with careful attention to detail.
What’s Included in the Tangospinner Subplatter Package?
The Tangospinner Astor Subplatter package includes:
- The Astor Subplatter is crafted from aircraft-grade aluminium with a stainless steel extended spindle.
- A zirconia oxide ball bearing that reduces friction for smoother rotation and longer-lasting performance.
- Free belts are designed to enhance rotational stability and maintain consistent speed.
You’ll need to buy your lubrication oil. I used 15W50 motorcycle transmission oil for my setup, referring to the instruction manual, which worked perfectly to keep the subplatter running smoothly.
Ordering and Delivery Experience
I ordered the Astor subplatter directly from the Tangospinner website, and the process was simple. My package arrived via FedEx in about 3-5 business days, well-packed and secure. The seller was also helpful and friendly, quickly responding to my questions and ensuring everything went smoothly.
Is the Tangospinner Subplatter Upgrade Worth It?
If you’re dealing with a wobbly subplatter or looking to enhance your Rega turntable overall performance, the Tangospinner Astor Subplatter is one of the best upgrades you can make. With easy installation, high-quality materials, and included extras like the zirconia oxide ball bearing and belts, this upgrade delivers noticeable stability and sound quality improvements.
For Rega Planar 1 owners seeking more precision and clarity from their vinyl playback, the Tangospinner Subplatter Upgrade is a highly recommended enhancement to elevate your turntable setup and listening experience. Investing in the Tangospinner Astor Subplatter is a decision you won’t regret.
