Author Topic: Rega Apollo 35th Anniversary Edition  (Read 16672 times)

Offline Bemopti123

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Rega Apollo 35th Anniversary Edition
« on: May 17, 2009, 04:57:12 AM »
Hi everyone, I wonder if anyone has heard the Rega line of CDP, especially the standard Apollo or even the Saturn.

I have read the reviews of the Apollo both in Stereophile and even in Positive Feedback and I wonder about the reliability or the real sound signature of these CDPs.  Furthermore, there has been some extensive record of some people having disc reading problems with the Rega Apollos but from the reading, it seems as if there was an earlier batch that did have quality control problems.

I am contemplating the potential purchase of the 35th Anniversary Special Edition from Music Direct...and I wonder whether it was worth its selling price.

Some other people talked about the Audio Analogue Paganini 192/24bit player...but this one seems to be a good 4 year old design while the Rega is of recent vintage and Rega is the larger manufacturer.

Anyone had the chance of shop CDPs on the range of 1 to 2 K?

Thanks.

Offline richidoo

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Re: Rega Apollo 35th Anniversary Edition
« Reply #1 on: May 17, 2009, 11:39:47 AM »
Local friend had a standard Apollo. It was nothing special.

If I were buying a new CDP now I would look at PrimaLuna, Raysonic, or Esoteric$$, in order of tube juiciness and increasing price. I heard RAM modded oppo last week, it was very nice.

Offline Bemopti123

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Re: Rega Apollo 35th Anniversary Edition
« Reply #2 on: May 17, 2009, 05:23:53 PM »
The issue I have with the CDPs you have listed is the long track proven reliability of their gear+their warranty and customer support.  Too many of these CDP with the tubed outputs are made in China and they seem to have just a difference facade, but being the same model from the same factory. 

I say that a CDP, on the dawn of the end of physical recordings need to be quite reliable or at least be reputable in order to justify its asking price and that is why I was looking into Regas. 

Almost 5 Summers ago, when I was in Japan, my host father, a dentist, had a Teac AKA: Esoteric, CDP that had many transport issues.  He sent the CDP to be repaired at least twice under warranty and ever since I heard that, I do not even look at Teac/Esoterics. 

Those RAM modifications of a DVD player that costs around $200 makes me wonder what will happen to it if the player mechanism goes south. 

I am really between the fence whether I should go for an Audio Analogue OR  that SE Rega.... or....

Actually, the CDP is for my mother's system.  She is into music and being that she is old I believe that she should have the finest reproduction out there for what time she has left, not that she is going anywhere, but I also believe in listening or doing fine things, not overpriced but fine in quality.  So, quality reproduction of CD tracks would be great. 

She does have a computer based system....a MacMini with Core Solo 1.66 with an external HD filled with lossless tracks into a USB DAC sold by AudioMagus last year with silver transformer outputs...  but, I still think that the reproduction via a substantial machine would really make the system come alive. 

So, the hunt goes on. 

Paul

Offline richidoo

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Re: Rega Apollo 35th Anniversary Edition
« Reply #3 on: May 17, 2009, 06:56:30 PM »
Aw heck, nevermind...
« Last Edit: May 17, 2009, 07:04:48 PM by richidoo »

Offline Carlman

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Re: Rega Apollo 35th Anniversary Edition
« Reply #4 on: May 17, 2009, 07:31:36 PM »
I haven't heard a Rega that wow'ed me yet.. but I did like that Raysonic.  It gets it right, for sure.  Chasing the warranty/support issue isn't worth ruling out machines that have the sound I want for me.
-C
I really enjoy listening to music.

Offline Bemopti123

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Re: Rega Apollo 35th Anniversary Edition
« Reply #5 on: May 18, 2009, 05:53:50 PM »
Aw heck, nevermind...
''

Damn, when I read over my previous response, I realized that it could have been construed as pendantic or offensive, I apologize for the unintended offense. 

I guess what I wrote were all the thoughts I have had about CDPs that I found questionable.

For example, the wave of Made in China CDPs that have a lot of glitter rather than substance, in my opinion.  Too many lights and too much over machining that makes the machine look like a slab of polished metal rather than a component...and asides from that, the difficulty of trusting a company that sets shop immediately and at the same time has similar wares in Ebay sold for much less.

Moreover, I also wondered about those modified DVD players, which I do not question the modification themselves, but in my mind it came across as something a skinny person with a weak bone frame to which some technical gurus will build things to "enhance" its capability...but in the end, regardless of the enhancement, it is still in its essence a skinny person, who is bound to suffer in the longer run.

After what both you, Richidoo and Carlman wrote, I went on to investigate other CDPs of the same price range, one of the prime candidates being an Audio Analogue Paganini 24 bit cdp...but the description people gave as being a little tilted to the midrange and also being sluggish in the lows turned me off.

Once again, I do apologize for coming across so rough/rude. 

Paul

Offline richidoo

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Re: Rega Apollo 35th Anniversary Edition
« Reply #6 on: May 18, 2009, 06:05:28 PM »
Don't even think about it...   It's great to have you here Paul.  I was tired and thin skinned... you were just having fun. my bad   
 
I agree that there is a lot of crap out there now. You can get anything made in China, and so much junk is hocked on Ebay, with all the same parts inside. But Dick Olsher and John Atkinson have given the PrimaLuna thumbs up, and I know that the build quality is great. They have their own factory there, although it is probably busy making other high end products, but probably not barbie dolls and instant coffee too.

I have met the RAM guys at RMAF on two occasions. They seem to really know their stuff. I would not hesitate to send gear to them. I hear the Oppo mod at RMAF 07, it sounded great, and so cheap!

Good luck with your search. I'm sure your Mom will be thrilled with the system you are building for her...
« Last Edit: May 18, 2009, 06:11:55 PM by richidoo »

Offline bpape

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Re: Rega Apollo 35th Anniversary Edition
« Reply #7 on: May 18, 2009, 07:10:07 PM »
I heard a PrimaLuna a couple of weeks ago in a very nice system.  His analog setup is a fully tweaked Linn (done right) with the Ittok and the new Dynavector cart.  He said he had several CDP's in his system and the Prima was the closest to his analog rig's sound. 

I had to agree.  It did have a bit of that analog feel to it (in a good way).

Bryan
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Offline Bemopti123

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Re: Rega Apollo 35th Anniversary Edition
« Reply #8 on: May 18, 2009, 07:47:20 PM »
He said he had several CDP's in his system and the Prima was the closest to his analog rig's sound. 

I had to agree.  It did have a bit of that analog feel to it (in a good way).

Bryan

I have heard much about CDPs that sound "analogue" but then, it makes me wonder, are there LP rigs that sound "digital"?  hehehe. 

Okay, going back to all these manufacturers that attempt to make their SS+digital ware sound LP like, would that be almost like getting X flavor done with artificial means rather than with "natural ingredients?"  This is not to stir the pot or to play the devil's advocate. 

The one reason why I am looking for a decent CDP is because of today's music, that is 99% done on CDs.  I have a burgeoning collection of physical CDs and since I have stopped listening to main stream American music since around 1997...with a few glaring exceptions (have not bought an American artist's CD except a couple of CDs) and most of the Cds I have are foreign (Korean.)

Anyway, I thought and thought hard about it and due to the fact that I have a Naim Nait 3...and advocate sonical agility rather than sluggish fare with a "golden" burnish glow, I jumped the gun and got one of the 500 Rega Apollo 35th Anniversary editions. 


A little audio pornography please....


Once I get it, I will check it out and do a comparison with my digital front end,

47 Labs Shigaraki MKI+optional Peter Daniels custom PS
47 Labs Shigaraki DAC

Richidoo, my mom's system consist of the following:

Van Den Hul Array 1 active preamplifier
H2o 250 stereo amplifier
AudioMagus Aelius transformer output USB DAC+ MacMini 1.66 Core Solo(2007?)+External HD
Sony PlayStation 1001 model with RCA outputs
various My Audio Cable speaker+RCA cables
all into a pair of really "barato"(Cheapo) Infinity Reference 2000.3 (2 way monitors with 6 inch woofer+silk dome tweeter.)

When I return to her home this Summer, I will take the Rega with me.

I am also currently trying to have 4 woofers of a Mint, NOS Infinity Kappa 9s, circa 1989 that had been in storage in her garage for approximately 20 years!

Cheers :D



Offline bpape

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Re: Rega Apollo 35th Anniversary Edition
« Reply #9 on: May 18, 2009, 08:20:27 PM »
The tube output of the Prima allows you to have a ton of flexibility in system matching and also tends to take a bit of the digital edge off.  What I really noticed was the life that I sometimes miss with some digital equipment.  Oh, and the Linn sounds anything but digital ;)

Nice system you have for your mom btw.

Bryan
I am serious... and don't call me Shirley

Offline richidoo

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Re: Rega Apollo 35th Anniversary Edition
« Reply #10 on: May 18, 2009, 09:01:30 PM »
Lucky Mom! Where's her home?

Congrats on the new ax  8)

Offline Bemopti123

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Re: Rega Apollo 35th Anniversary Edition
« Reply #11 on: May 18, 2009, 09:19:40 PM »
My mom lives in Atlanta, while I am in NYC.

bacobits

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Re: Rega Apollo 35th Anniversary Edition
« Reply #12 on: May 19, 2009, 07:26:19 AM »
Check this out.
http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/aprilmusic2/stello.html
BTW, Made in S. Korea.

I was in this situation not too long ago. I passed on any and all Rega players regardless of reviews. I had read so many bad things on the transports involved on most players. Lots of combo players SACD/ CD and DVD/CD etc. seemed to be part of the read problem. Phillips drives being the prime offender but Sony has had their share of problems too even on the high end machines. Surprised to hear Esoteric $$$$ had problems, and they use their own super system drives.

I purchased a Raysonic 128 mint condition used and it is to my liking and built well. I heard the 168 over Richie's. I usually go used to get at least 50% off retail but you are on your own going this route. Oh, and I got out of SACD. I had a top line Sony SCD XA777ES a few years ago. There just was not enough SACD music to my liking. Almost bought a Sony SCD XA9000ES but the Transport developed problems for the owner before my final decision. So much for that.

I had a mint condition Cary 308T here too. Never heard it, bad Phillips transport again $375 fix for a $40 (off E Bay) transport. This was supposedly just in Cary's shop the month previous. Hmmm.

Fort a short time I was running a Benchmark DAC1 with a Denon 1650AR as a transport. It was nice but not as nice as the Raysonic 128. The 128 has switchable up-sampling.

I loved the sound of the CAL Icon MKII HDCD, I had 2 of them. There is a flood of them on Agon right now.

So this was my saga of CD players the last year.
It is not an easy decision for sure. You don't want mom having problems.

Good Luck

Den   



shep

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Re: Rega Apollo 35th Anniversary Edition
« Reply #13 on: May 19, 2009, 09:39:05 AM »
Just 2cents worth from me :lol: I'm out of my league here but for the record, I heard one of the early Rega's a long while ago and didn't like it at all. If you want great analogue sound, for not much money, there's an interesting approach (well I would be beating this drum since it's the only one I have!): buy an OLD (NOS) Marantz
cdp, vintage '67 Se. They are cheap as dirt. Very nice machine as is, BUT there are various folks who have tweaked these to the hilt and then they sound fabulous. Mine is a mid-way tweaked version (total cost machine bought new plus tweaks= 400$) On the DIY forum, at last count there were 700 pages devoted to this topic and various off-spins. Serious stuff! talk about Nervosa (I love it) . I'm not peddling, but one of the cheif gurus of this particular forum/topic is a man who has a very quality store in Britain and had made a speciality of this machine and these mods. A very knowledgeable gent indeed. Those who have gone all the way, report that the sound from this aunt Lizzy is as good as modern cdp's costing thousands. Right, I'll creep back in my malebox :shock:

Offline Bemopti123

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Re: Rega Apollo 35th Anniversary Edition
« Reply #14 on: May 20, 2009, 10:32:18 AM »
The times we live in today are well,l funny.  We want to spend $$$ on gear that is well made but the commercial powers in charge decided to attempt to take our money by selling us overpriced and technically flawed CDPs. 

I have had a Sony CDP I bought while in college, around 15 years ago.  It cost me around $200 back then and it is still spinning without an issue...Okay, let me be honest, there is a little issue here and there, but the player is plasticky, quite light, but it reads everything I throw at it, original and burned CDs. 

FF, 15 years later, and when I am looking around, I read about all these great machines available at price points and it seems to me that the one thing they cannot provide is reliability and longevity. 

Is is too much to expect for something to work without a fuzz for at least a decade, if you pay almost 2K for it?

If you consider the potential breakdown of any physical transport, then the only option would be to make the entire system computer based but sometimes, it is simply nice to pop a CD and let the thing rip, no mouse to mess with, no DACs, no "lock" signals etc.... 

So, tomorrow, I am getting the machine.  I will get to break it until I take it to my mom's place in July.  Until then, lets see whether I love or hate the "Rega" sound. 

I tend to see my mother's system's tone to be accurate, but not necessarily "fast."  Perhaps the rhythmic signature of the REGA will get it rolling. 

Paul

PS:  Thanks for the detailed info on all your experiences.