Part 2: The Rega P10 - Why? (A story of engineering humility & determination)

Pearl Acoustics・2 minutes read

The choice of the Riga P10 turntable in the Listening Room aims to provide visitors with the best vinyl playback experience, prioritizing modern advancements over nostalgic options for superior sound quality and performance enhancements. Through collaboration with experts and innovative design choices like a frictionless main bearing and specialized O-rings, Riga Systems showcases a commitment to excellence and continuous development in offering high-quality turntables accessible to a wide consumer base.

Insights

  • The decision to choose the Riga P10 turntable for the Listening Room was based on a desire to provide visitors with the best vinyl playback experience, prioritizing modern advancements over nostalgic options like the LP-12 due to their limitations.
  • The collaborative effort between Roy Gandy, Phil Freeman, and Mike Stops in developing the P10 turntable highlights Riga Systems' commitment to continuous improvement, precision engineering, and technological advancements to address challenges like motor vibration and bearing design, ultimately offering high-quality turntables accessible to a wide range of consumers.

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Recent questions

  • What influenced the choice of the Riga P10 turntable for the Listening Room?

    The decision to opt for the Riga P10 turntable in the Listening Room was driven by the desire to provide visitors with the best possible vinyl playback experience, especially those traveling long distances.

  • Who is the founder of Riga Systems and what is his background?

    Roy Gandy, the founder of Riga Systems, is known for his engineering background and dedication to continuous improvement in turntable design.

  • How did the collaboration between Roy Gandy and Phil Freeman impact the development of the P10 turntable?

    The collaborative effort between Roy Gandy and Phil Freeman in developing the P10 turntable combined expertise from different engineering backgrounds, contributing to its superior sound quality and performance.

  • What technological advancements were utilized to address challenges faced by turntable manufacturers?

    Meticulous engineering and technological advancements were employed to address challenges such as motor vibration and bearing design in turntable manufacturing, enhancing overall performance and precision.

  • How did the design of the P10 turntable focus on minimizing vibrations and optimizing performance?

    The design of the P10 turntable aimed to minimize vibrations to the pickup arm, enhance bearing precision to less than one micron, and optimize the platter's gyroscopic effect for smoother motor operation, ensuring high-quality performance and accuracy.

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Summary

00:00

Riga P10 Turntable: Superior Sound Quality Choice

  • The choice of the Riga P10 turntable for the Listening Room was influenced by the desire to offer the best vinyl playback experience to visitors, even those traveling long distances.
  • Initial consideration of the LP-12 turntable was set aside after a reflective pause, leading to the exploration of modern turntable options.
  • The decision to opt for a modern turntable over a nostalgic choice was influenced by the limitations of vintage designs compared to contemporary advancements.
  • The introduction to Riga turntables, particularly the P8 and P10 models, led to a surprising preference for the P10 due to its superior sound quality.
  • Roy Gandy, the founder of Riga Systems, is highlighted for his engineering background and commitment to continuous improvement in turntable design.
  • The development of the P10 turntable involved a collaborative effort between Roy Gandy and Phil Freeman, combining expertise from different engineering backgrounds.
  • The innovative power supply designed by Mike Stops significantly reduced motor vibration in the P10 turntable, enhancing overall performance.
  • The main challenges faced by turntable manufacturers, such as motor vibration and bearing design, were addressed through meticulous engineering and technological advancements.
  • The development of a frictionless main bearing and spindle, along with the use of specialized O-rings sourced from Formula One suppliers, contributed to the precision and accuracy of the P10 turntable.
  • Riga's dedication to excellence and continuous development, as seen in the P10 model, reflects a commitment to offering high-quality turntables accessible to a wide range of consumers.

19:54

Enhanced P10 Turntable Design for Stability

  • The P10 turntable now uses two o-rings for increased accuracy and stability, addressing potential inaccuracies in one with the other.
  • The plinth design involves reducing mass while maintaining rigidity to minimize vibrations from the motor and spindle affecting the pickup arm.
  • Foam cores were initially considered for their lightness and stiffness, but a closed-cell foam with added phenylic resin was developed for enhanced stability.
  • A ceramic plate was introduced between the main bearing and pickup arm to further reduce mass, with holes cut in it to maintain rigidity.
  • The turntable's design focused on minimizing vibrations to the pickup arm, enhancing bearing precision to less than one micron, and optimizing the platter's gyroscopic effect for smoother motor operation.
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