Rega Naia v P10 - why is it so much more expensive?

[@geoffhoward2171]

A fascinating video Phil, it took me back to a show many years ago, in the Linn listen room. Linn had just upgraded the LP12 with Valhalla et al and were comparing it to a Planar 3 turntable, after a while we were asked what we thought, my response was "don't you think comparing your top end turntable to the Rega 3 is a little unfair, why not compare to something at a similar price range?', their response was, no we believe comparing the LP12 to the Rega 3 was perfectly fair. My reaction and thoughts on the difference they could not understand, as a person who had spent 30 years or so performing in places such as The Royal Albert Hall, St Davids Hall and Sydney Opera House among many more, my experience was the Linn placed me in the middle of the stage, while the Rega in the auditorium. When I eventually got around to replacing an aged Garrard deck I compared Linn with Pink Triangle, The Linn Axis v LPT, the difference was greater than Linn to Rega, Lp12 v PT Too was no contest, eventually I had to go with the LPT, thinking of the cost, I still have that after some tweaking of the Arm by Origin Live and upgrading the power supply and drive by Arthur K himself.

[@user-ex9zm7bg3x]

Also, both braces on the Naia are ceramic -vs- one on the P10. I know it's better, but as a P10 owner I can't shake the feeling I'm buying the same table. They could have at least put a different faceplate on the PS! Thanks for the video.

[@danielgeiger7739]

I will pick up my Naia package with the Aphelion 2 cart in a couple of weeks. Really exited! Harvey Lovegrove and your previous video on large budget mid-sized room system with the P10/Naia as a no-brainer finally swayed me to do it. Currently a VPI super prime scout with SoundSmith Zephyr MIMC* cart; will keep the cart, but trade in the TT.

[@Soundapple]

@@danielgeiger7739 Same thing here - sold P10 to now have Naia. I have decided for an Ortofon Cadenza Bronze cartridge though, but as we all know, TT more responsible for SQ than the flavour of cartridge.

[@danielgeiger7739]

@@Soundapple Interesting. I had the opposite experience re cart vs. table. Cart has made much more difference than TT thus far.

[@Soundapple]

@@danielgeiger7739 yes, well I think it really depends on the level of turntable. Moving sideways between turntables at roughly same level of refinement - ultimate speed stability, rumble, energy dissipation - may be less obvious than moving to a better cartridge. But the level of see through transparency is all about the turntable - most micro information is glossed over by the turntable and arm, before the cartridge even gets a chance to convert it into an electric signal. I would rather listen to my old P10 with an affordable Goldring 1006, than my P3 with an Apheta. The Naia with a Goldring 1042 already outperforms the P10 with Apheta in terms of rock solid image placement, transparency and refinement, if not sound stage size and high frequency extension. I almost went with the Aphelion 2 combo, but in the end I decided in favour of the tiny bit of warmth and musical flow that the Cadenza Bronze brings, as my system is already very neutral and can tip towards analytical in balance. Congratulations and enjoy!

[@mikechivy]

@@Soundapplewhat do you think of the naia versus the p10? Thinking about upgrading

[@Soundapple]

@@mikechivy kzbin.info/www/bejne/pYjQao2irbd8hM0si=blHkd1BXg0nDXZr9

[@VinylLatte]

Nice breakdown. Thanks for sharing.

[@Markymarkvinylnut]

Thanks Phil, great job! Enjoyed that, cheers

[@tl9756]

NAIA really starts to become amazing after 100 hours of break in or so, the bearing, belts, cart and tonearm become one, so don't be too hasty to form an opinion just yet, it gets MUCH better.

[@jasonemanuel9070]

I brought my brand new RP 2 with exact cartridge several weeks ago.I liked it a lot until I purchased a vintage pioneer PL-12D with a Shure M75ED cart which has really impressed me.The intention was to have the PL12D as a second system.Ive now listed the rega for sale on facebook.

[@jdekong3945]

I’d try changing the cartridge, the old style Rega cartridges have a sound that I don’t like

[@jasonemanuel9070]

@@jdekong3945 it's brand new I also have a Rega carbon,trust me the pioneer has more punch & dynamic's I really wanted to like the Rega

[@jasonemanuel9070]

It's a brand new Rega,I have tried it with the Rega carbon & exact as well​@@jdekong3945

[@jdekong3945]

@@jasonemanuel9070 strange, I wonder if there`s something wrong with it, the Pioneer is a lovely deck but the RP2 should sound better, what is it you you don`t like about it?

[@jasonemanuel9070]

@@jdekong3945 I didn't say I didn't like it,I just think the pl12d is a better TT

[@Unpreeeedictable]

A friend owns a Naia and likes it more than the Kuzma Stabi R he sold to me. High praise.

[@Integralista001]

@@Unpreeeedictable this is a real friend. I think they both, Naia and Kuzma R are masterpieces showing masterminds of their designers. Congratulation.

[@paulrudolph8469]

Did he sell the Kuzma before or after he got the NAIA?

[@Unpreeeedictable]

@@paulrudolph8469 He did. There was probably a four month gap because of a delay in the Naia being available in Canada. So no, he didn't have the opportunity to compare them side by side. I guess we could still do a shoot out but I'm not lugging my Stabi R to his place, that's for sure.

[@paulrudolph8469]

Thanks for responding. Found your comment very interesting as I demoed the Stabi R. I was not convinced to upgrade from my P10. Stabi R is a great table and I suspect some of this had to do with the dealer’s system, which was inferior to mine. I’m struggling to decide among Technics, Stabi R, or Naia. Or, simply stay with the P10.

[@Unpreeeedictable]

@@paulrudolph8469 No problem Paul. The main reason my friend went with the Naia was, believe it or not, the relatively fool proof cartridge mounting setup, which steers people towards Rega cartridges. I prefer more choice. In my case I use a Etsuro Urushi Cobalt Blue. Honestly, the P10 to the Naia wouldn't be my choice. If I was going to change I'd favour a completely different approach. I see you are interested in direct drive tables (with the Technics). If I add a second table it will be direct drive, probably a used Brinkmann.

[@roberts.4261]

In my opinion, Naia is not meant for mass sale at all, it's more about testing the limits of where you can go. IMHO, the top of the Rega range is the P8, of course the P6 and even the P3 are more than excellent turntables. The P10 is already too analytical for me, I expect the turntable to remain "analog" and not tend to be "digital".

[@Jujuboy0]

Interesting how big the jump form the 8 and the 10 is in your opinion? (I guess you prefer the 8 tho)

[@roberts.4261]

@@Jujuboy0 Of course the P10 is technically above the P8 and is a better turntable. The RB3000 tonearm is a step up from the RB880, everything is sharpened, you get more details, but I personally prefer musicality over details. P10 would be too much for my needs.

[@apollomemories7399]

@@roberts.4261 If that's the case, I guess you'd hate to hear any of my UK 1970's 1st pressings in spanking condition and having been ultrasonically cleaned playing on my P10. Musical heaven, my friend. You're only kidding yourself on here.

[@Jujuboy0]

@@roberts.4261 thanks for your reply. I own a p6 and I was wondering which would fit my need the best. I’ll go for the p8!

[@jdekong3945]

@@Jujuboy0 ask your dealer for a demo and listen for yourself I guess is the ultimate test

[@Integralista001]

Thanks Phil for another very good comparison. Will you pls. make a note on which components/system you mafe your comparison? Thanks. PS: I am still happy with my old P9 with Lyra Delos + Rega Ios. I like a lot this combination. And wooden frames around turntables😂.

[@jazzonlp]

Rega's engineering innovations are impressive at all levels. Thanks for posting.

[@r423fplip]

Is it really.

[@davidatrakchi2707]

Rega tries to achieve excellence by technical means without any fancy shmancy means like 200kg plater, nickel chrome and gold spreaded all around

[@The_Original_Geoff_B]

I saw the Naia at last year's Bristol show, but there was no chance to hear it. If I hadn't just spent 9k on NVA electronics . . . Adding a Naia would definitely have ended in divorce.

[@davidcarr2216]

Well, its got unobtanium bearings and a plutonium arm - what's not to like ?

[@papabear1417]

Have you watched Harley Lovegrove of Pearl Acoustics review?

[@pauldavies6037]

YEs Harley has a great channel

[@jasonemanuel9070]

@@papabear1417 cheers for that will watch it now

[@philipnunn1816]

Hi, out of interest, but how long are the captive arm cables on the Rega decks?

[@johnhall9895]

From my experience Rega turntables need to be mounted on a surface fixed to a solid wall. If your listening room has a suspended floor and not solid concrete the tonearm jumps like crazy when you walk past. This doesn't matter if you have a P1 or a Naia. There are much more stable designs to be had.

[@jozefserf2024]

Depends on the wall. Even solid walls move. A good table might be best as vibration on the vertical plane is easier handled than that on the horizontal plane.

[@davidcarr2216]

Bigger mark-ups all round -Yay 😀

[@devaplan]

You hit the nail on the head.

[@cynthiakis1731]

What phono stage used?

[@r423fplip]

The limit is the actual vinyl.

[@davidcarr2216]

It sure is, followed by the cartridge.

[@jedi-mic]

The Best belt is dental floss u should try it make sure you wind it twice with the knot on the outside I think it's an underhand knot can't remember what they call it now

[@devaplan]

The simple answer, quite frankly, is price gouging and high mark up to keep specialist Rega dealers happy.

[@stephenlegg262]

Keep it friendly, people.

[@davidcarr2216]

Why ? These peeps have been conning the public forever.

[@kevinwilson598]

​@@davidcarr2216conning people? In what way, can't you make a decision for yourself

[@davidcarr2216]

Let me spell it out for you. Really, good audio equipment completely gets out of the way of the music and it definitely doesn't do this, and sound like this, or makes your Pink Floyd sound better. What the industry does is have people listen to equipment that shouldn't even have a sound, or be doing anything to the sound. What do you think you're listening to when you're listening to equipment ? In all cases you're listening to artifacts which shouldn't even be there. It doesn't matter if the component is made of plutonium or whatever - it's got sweet FA to do with anything. My advice: stop listening to equipment and start listening to music. HiFi isn't a hobby and for the most part it isn't about true fidity either . So you tell me what you think it's about ?

[@johnnystrachan9454]

Well tempered Amadeus smokes em both ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@thehandseesall]

Titanium is light and strong, but far from stiff

[@daveadcock9128]

Phil, you should rebrand your videos as Man-therapy, listening to you talk for 10 mins is like 20mols of diazepam. 😂 wooosah 👍

[@mariocassar6087]

Can we have a blind listenening test comparison, please?

[@michaelb9664]

Doubt we’ll get to see that. That’s when the magic disappears.

[@kevinwilson598]

​@@michaelb9664and the KZbin lawsuit begins

[@jozefserf2024]

Once you get to the P8 you're virtually into imagined differences. The P8 is one hell of a deck.

[@charliekollarovics5084]

No, its not worth it if you are not millionare

[@markorchard2272]

My background is Electronics (avionics/military hardware/high end hifi) manufacture and costing. I can't, for the life of me, see where thousands go even in high end kit. Nothing, and I mean NOTHING justifies £10k in the NAIA.

[@jdekong3945]

Can any high end hifi justify its price? Regardless of manufacturer)

[@Zzyyxx22]

That’s true of all luxury items. Same way that Lamborghini uses Audi parts but charges considerably more just because they can and people buy them and pay the inflated price. I guess that at this level there’s quite a lot of failed QC especially with the carbon layup. I imagine quite a few parts don’t make it to final products and they’re all included in the final price too. As I say that’s a guess though. I’ve nothing to back that up.

[@michaeldoran6652]

Doesn't need to justify the price hike. They choose to add a premium for the best. People who can afford it may chose to pay it. There are 10k rivals. Free market.

[@mikemcguinness1304]

Thats a stupid question, yes some things can ​@jdekong3945

[@Integralista001]

Hi, this is because you have never built (me neither) so good turntable like Naia. Whole England (or GB) must be very proud on such a good turntable manufacturer. Main bearing has play in nanometers! This is far above your army equipment. In the end, Naia has several components better or on par with e.g. SME 30 or 60 or Avid, Kuzma but for a fraction of their cost. Than you will see, Naia (or Rega in general) is still not so expensive.

[@kennycosmic1]

Those mats are awful. They look so cheap and nasty. I would replace it immediately with an Origin live platter mat.

[@martingreenwood3394]

Agreed can’t for the life of me understand why they use those cheap nasty felt mats! I’ve got the p10 and I’ve changed it for acrylic mat and now there is no static whatsoever

[@apollomemories7399]

@@martingreenwood3394 Which acrylic mat did you get?

[@bobby666666]

​@@martingreenwood3394I have a Linn Basik with a felt mat and it had static when used. I still have it, but have replaced with a RP3 50th Anniversary Turntable with a felt mat and have no static.

[@mediascapes2011]

funny talking record player with all CD's in the room, the regas seem out of place

[@Abefroman-lq3md]

Sorry, but the NAIA is vastly overpriced for what it is. I am buying a LINN Sondek and saying goodbye to Roy Gandy’s BS. Oh and it’s such an ugly beast and it doesn’t sound much better than the P10. It just does not. I traded mine because I was so disappointed. Salutations from Belfast Northern Ireland 🇬🇧

[@jdekong3945]

Call the NAIA overpriced and then go over to Linn? 😹😹

[@revelry1969]

Says the sausage king of Chicago 🫢😝

[@007EnglishAcademy]

The Linn was an arthritic has-been 30 years ago.

[@Abefroman-lq3md]

@@007EnglishAcademy . Shows how much you don’t know. 🙄

[@Abefroman-lq3md]

@@jdekong3945 Better quality you mendicant