The following unsolicited comments are from customers who chose to share their enjoyment regarding the purchase of one or more Groovetracer products. Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their thoughts. -Frank S.- Groovetracer Products, U.S.A.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I want to thank you for developing the Groovetracer products. The subplatter and acrylic platter are exceptional.
I recently purchased (August 2006) the subplatter with sapphire thrust plate and the
acrylic platter.
I have had my Rega 25 for about 2 years. I listened to it infrequently
because it really wasn't interesting. I have about 500 LPs that were just
sitting there and I knew that there must be a better way to enjoy them in
lieu of spending 3 thousands dollars. (ie purchasing high dollar turntable).
I read the review on Tone-Audio, and your literature on groovetracer.com.
The descriptions that you provide are very accurate. The products are
impeccably machined and delivered with excellent instructions.
My system includes Rega P25, Audio Technica OC9, Audioquest B100 cartridges,
Krell reference phono amp, Krell KBL, Krell KSA300s, Wilson Watt Puppies.
The improvements in sound I now experience over my stock P25 are:
Bass transient response, and much deeper response. Midrange depth and images
with a clearly defined space between performers. Treble, much more detail,
though with no distortion or edginess. The improvement in articulation is
really incredible.
The surfaces of the LP are quieter. The groove noise is reduced quite a bit.
Before this upgrade my CD's sounded better than my LP's. Now with the two
Groovetracer products I find it hard to play any CD, the LP's are so alive
and riveting.
Your products changed my audiophile life because I am now enjoying my LP's
and looking/finding more.
Again, thank you for the engineering, the design, and production of your
products.
B. Sill—September 2006
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Frank, indeed this is an incredible piece of machining! I've spun a few records now, and your subplatter brings more focus and snap to every side. I don't know what to say, it's like a new turntable.
E. Fowler—November 2006
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Groovetracer counterweight- Congratulations on a superb product. I have never experienced such a huge improvement for such a small sum of money before.
Thanks and best regards, Ludwig-Sales Director for Audionord AB in Sweden
November 2006
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi Frank, I guess you got mail from a friend of mine Ludwig, regarding the counterweight I must say that it is the most fantastic improvement I have ever experienced. A couple of years ago I tried an Origin Live counterweight on an RB300, and was presented by a small improvement in clarity. So I wasn’t prepared for the shocking improvement the Groovetracer made on my RB1000. About everything got better, clarity, precision, tonal accuracy, spatial presentation and grip. Amazing! I have been listening to music since I got it. It’s so much more interesting to listen to music now. Sometimes it feels like listening to the mastertape. The tonearm now holds my Benz LP in absolutely firm grip. The Benz has never sounded so exact and relaxed. So congratulations to a marvelous product.
Kind regards, D. Hofmann - Sweden Nov.2006
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Being of a craftsman/engineer background myself I thoroughly appreciate intelligent and
thoughtful design and quality execution.
It was the appearance of those qualities in your products when compared to all the other"me too" platters that led me to choose yours.
Certainly your products are well presented on your website, but the reality still exceeds
the expectations.
So, thank you for 2 finely made and sonically very worthwhile products and your prompt
and effective communication and dispatch.
Feel free to use any of the above comments by way of testimonial should you wish.
Regards, Tony G. Australia January, 2007 (Subplatter & Acrylic platter)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I got the subplatter last Wednesday and have had some time to listen the changes compared to the stock subplatter. The installation was an easy task.
The first listening impressions were of shear amazement. It was like the dust was wiped off the TV screen. All sounds were a lot clearer and the music flowed through the speakers with ease. The background noise was a lot less apparent.
I would have bought the subplatter just for the build quality compared to the Rega’s, but
with the added bonus of fantastic upgrade in sound quality the deluxe subplatter is the best buy I have made in ages. My P3 sounds like a lot more expensive player now.
Big thanks to you Frank.
Mikko L. – Finland June 2007
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Good morning Frank, Here's what I just wrote to a friend regarding the subplatter.
"Results: Holy crap, Everything tightened up and not in a small way either.
Crisp, clear, fast, deeper soundstage, dead on stable speed. And now I can understand "inky" blacks. I dropped the needle in the run in groove and stopped in my tracks, turned
around and had to check that the needle was in fact on the record. When it hit the groove I again stopped in my tracks...my wife came out of the kitchen and said "Wow". Yes, that much difference. Three hours later we finally opened the wine for supper.
So that's the story, so far.....Damn you do good work.
Gerald R. July, 2007
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The platter arrived today and it is a beautiful thing.
Thanks for taking the time to do things right. It shows in all of your products. I only
hope that I find a little product niche where I can display the same level of design and
execution for my retirement business.
Brian B. September, 2007
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I got the acrylic platter today. The sound difference was instantly noticeable from the first second of playing. I love it! It makes the music smoother, more fluid, more relaxed; seems to remove an element of harshness.
Tony W. October, 2007
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks yet again Frank!
The subplatter arrived before noon on Friday. I installed it shortly after and I've been
in vinyl heaven ever since. Nice job from the quality machining (I'm an industrial and
graphic designer so I'm a bit of a gearhead...), through the packing and shipping. And
great follow through on your end, too.
Brian B. November, 2007
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OK, how 'bout Wow, or, Oh my gosh, or better yet - Holy $..t! Frank, I absolutely cannot believe how this beautiful piece of engineering has raised the level of playback on my system. Everything now is so focused, especially the vocals. Once I installed the counterweight and tweaked everything, I put on Alison Krauss and Robert Plant's new release: /Raising
Sand/. When Alison's vocals came into the mix on the second track, I jumped, it startled
me so. Man, talk about in the room with me (I wish). My background is quieter also. I
was considering returning this LP because of the noticeable surface noise on many of the
tracks. Since the addition of your weight, the noise is now considerably less of an
annoyance. For the first time in my system, I can vividly hear the depth of the soundstage. I was throwing on different genres of music to get a good feel, and I put on Depeche Mode's:/Some Great Reward/. On the final track of side two there is this synth part that begins equally at the right and left channels and quickly recedes to back (way back) center stage. Before, it just kinda met in the middle in the same plane, but now it recedes far into the horizon.
So, my good friend and machinist el supremo, I guess one could say that I am a satisfied
customer. I thank you for all you've done to help me get my deck to that enviable stage
of being able to present a most believable and certainly enjoyable musical event. I've
been buying an absolute ton of vinyl, mostly jazz, and I have many hours of playtime
ahead of me.
Steve D. December 2007
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Being an experienced tweaker, I think I have a pretty good handle on what works and what doesn't, my ears don't lie to me. I always go into a tweak expecting it not to work. Your subplatter works. There is clearly more detail retrieval. I'm hearing new stuff that was previously buried in mixes. It's particularly evident in live recordings where I can hear more distinct stage and audience chatter. It's what I call "more there, there." The soundstage has expanded as well. Everything just sounds better. I like it! Steve C. December 2007
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Article from New Zealand’s online webzine, see link below. December 2007
http://www.audioenz.co.nz/2007/vinyl_superrega.shtml
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi Frank! First of all I want to say I'm very satisfied with your counterweight. It's such a great improvement on my RB 1000. The enjoyment of listening to my records has reached a higher level, that’s for sure!
Many thanks and regards from Sweden- Caterine N. January, 2008
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
First and above anything else THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Now, before I installed the Groovetracer upgrades on my Rega Planer 25 which are the Deluxe sub-platter and the sapphire thrust plate with the 150 gram Groovetracer counterweight I wanted to do a comparison between the Groovetracer upgrades and the original Rega sub-platter and steel bearing along with the Expresso Heavyweight on my tonearm. Well to do this I had to play some music and the album of choice because of its acoustic and the containment of some the most influential musicians on this planet was Herbie Hancock titled RIVER The Joni Letters .
The results from my original Rega set up I must say sounded awesome. My Sumiko Blackbird was singing, at least I thought, until I installed the Groovetracer Deluxe sub-platter along with the 150 gram Groovetracer Counterweight . The results were eargasmic with unbelievable image and sound improvement. It was as though the artist jumped out of my speakers and said I am going to play live for you, and no, I was not drinking cognac at the time.
Frank, the background image became dead quiet and the music simply just leaped out like a cleansing had taken place. The information that I heard from your upgrades is unbelievable I am in awe with a facial expression of a DEER IN HEADLIGHTS.
I would like to go on to say that if there are any Rega owners out there looking to upgrade and take their Rega to the next and final level, look no further, Groovetracer products are the only answer.
Sincerely Jesse O. February, 2008
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On Feb. 23rd I received the subplatter, but didn't install it before this weekend.
I've exchanged the standard wires inside the RB300 with wires from Van den Hul, therefore I wanted to wait to hear the difference between the subplatters.
Your subplatter sounds magnificent, especially drums and cymbals have much more detail than the standard Rega subplatter.
So I will do as many others are doing, recommend it to other owners of Rega turntables, and I will do it here in Norway. Thank you for an excellent subplatter.
Best regards from Haavard D. Norway—March, 2008
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I received the subplatter on Friday, and installed it this weekend. Excellent product! Beautifully made, and great sounding. Those little
Delrin dots were a superb idea as well. Thanks much.
Steve C. April, 2008
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi Frank, Meant to email you sooner. I got the subplatter. Installation was a breeze and I love how it looks and sounds. Everything that has been said is true, and I'm very, very
pleased. Thank you!
Bill W. May, 2008
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I just wanted to tell you that I received the subplatter a few days ago and it's a
truly superb product, perfectly machined to my eye with great improvement in sound over the stock subplatter on my Rega P3-24.
Zvonimir K. Croatia, May, 2008
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fitted Groovetracer counterweight (and sub-platter to deck) is absolutely fine.
Listened to LP thru headphones this morning (use DarkVoice 336i headamp) and it really brought out the much improved detail and speed stability that the Groovetracer provides - the best £150 I ever spent (on hi-fi).
Cheers, Colin W. -U.K-. July 30th, 2008
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Excerpt taken from The Sound Room, "All things vinyl” article. http://aperionaudio.typepad.com August 2008
Great as Rega's budget tables are in stock form, a few key upgrades will turn them into world-beaters. Every Rega table from the P5 on down can be improved upon by replacing any or all of the following: the small-diameter, low-mass counterweight; the molded-plastic sub platter; and the floated-glass platter. Enter Groovetracer products and their trio of finely-machined, precision replacement parts for each of the above mentioned items. Yours truly once owned a Rega P25 with the Groovetracer counterweight and sub platter; to say the improvements were drastic would be an understatement. I heard richer, fuller, and tighter bass; dead-accurate pitches; and more natural air and decay around instruments. If you own a Rega 'table that isn't a P7 or P9, you owe it to yourself to hear what these upgrades will do for your music. by Oliver Amnuayphol August 2008
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi Frank,
Received the counterweight today from California!
I couldn't be happier....and it sounds awesome!
Now my Rega is as good as it can be, (I Think).
Thanks again for the great service and products,
Jim P, October 2008
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Frank,
I received the platter today - what a difference! Everything tightened, clarified, and my
static woes are gone. Thanks again for another superb upgrade.
Octavian B. October 2008
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Frank, I received the subplatter today and installed it in about 5 minutes. Everything fits
perfectly and looks great. I am listening to the turntable right now and it sounds
fantastic. Thanks so much for the excellent product and fast shipping.
Len A. October 2008
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here are my brief comments after a weekend of listening: There are only
a few words that can describe the difference between the stock
subplatter of the Rega P3-24 versus the Groovetracer upgraded
subplatter: How about, like a different turntable. You have heard that
expression about the veil being lifted from the recording. Tight, fast
and dynamic sounding with a wider and quieter soundstage.
It was a glorious relaxing weekend. Thanks again, Stan.
Stan G. November 2008
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hello Frank I have received the products no problems at all, and have installed them on
the P25. I can't say how huge the difference in sound is, it is absolutely sensational
and it looks great. I like to thank you and the company on the oustanding service and
assistance you provided and not to forget the high quality product you sell. I will
recommend your products to other people.
Thank you very much!
Tony G. Australia, December 2008 (Reference subplatter and acrylic platter)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I got the counterweight installed last night and based on limited listening time it sure
sounds like a worthwhile upgrade; will need to check some more "reference" vinyl to
compare. And, of course the workmanship is second to none just like the beautiful reference subplatter already installed on my P5. Thanks for such a finely made product and excellent service.
Best, -Kurt- January, 2009
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I've received the Reference subplatter & acrylic platter. I must commend you on your professional packing, fast shipment and prompt communication. It has been a pleasure dealing with you. Following your clear installation instructions, the subplatter and platter were installed in minutes. The fit and finish of your products are amazing. The clearances between the subplatter, platter and the plinth are tight but uniform. When spinning, the platter is stable and level. The improvements in playback quality are significant. The noise floor is much lower, giving a silky black background from which low level musical details emerge. Soundstaging has become rock solid with greater depth and wider separation of instruments. Vocals now have a more focused burst of energy. The overall sound is more tuneful and dynamic. Thanks to your products, I've shelved plans to upgrade to a better turntable, as I effectively have one now! Cheers, Michael from Singapore. -Planar 2- Feb. 2009
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you for the Groovetracer deluxe subplatter which I very easily
installed on my new Rega P3-24. Your detailed instructions and included kit
were a great help. Acoustically the results are amazing, and the Groovetracer subplatter also looks great on the turntable. I would like to thank you for doing such a great job.
Regards, Chris from Athens, Greece. April, 2009
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Reference subplatter is amazing! No trouble installing it. The first time I dropped it into my P5, a little air bubble stopped the thrust plate from seating on the bearing....an indication of a nice tight tolerance plus a film of oil. So I pulled it out, simply let gravity 'try again' ...voila... this time a perfect seat. From the moment the stylus hit the groove it was obvious - blatant really - it tightened up the low end in a huge way and also made it deeper and more defined. Throughout the frequency range in fact, every record I've played sounds 'cleaner', quieter, with noticeably more detail than before with the stock subplatter. This was easily the biggest jump my system has had, even over the Rega external power supply unit. Great work there ...thanks again. Best, James. April, 2009
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wow, what a difference! I don't know the audiophile terms, but everything is better. The background is deep and quiet and everything sounds so alive. This has got to be the best REGA upgrade out there. Anyway, I wanted to thank you for your dedication, craftsmanship, and attention to finishing detail. Also, thank you for the clear instructions. Thanks again, -Brent- Reference subplatter. April, 2009
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The difference is P R O F O U N D !!! The rotational speed stability now just seems like an added bonus - that was my impetus for upgrading but the improvement in sonics goes waaay beyond that... even high frequency tracking at the needle is much improved!
Amazing! Thanks, Vytas. –Deluxe subplatter- May, 2009
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I just wanted to let you know that your components are fantastic on the Rega. Once installed, it was clear that this was a necessary upgrade....pitch instability gone, image stability is rock solid, very very quiet, much bigger sound stage, the highs are sweet, clear, and sustained (not harsh like before), looks good too. Great products and great value. I love it.
Nick H. May, 2009 Acrylic platter and Deluxe subplatter.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I installed your Reference Subplatter on my Rega P3-24 today. If I hadn't heard the difference with my own ears, I wouldn't have believed it. The increased level of detail, air, and expressiveness was quite extraordinary. You're a wizard of a very high order... many thanks!
Albert B. June, 2009 Reference subplatter.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just received my reference subplatter for my Rega P3 today. I read the instructions that came with it and followed them to the letter. I would like you to know that the subplatter is a thing of machining beauty! The first thing I noticed was how easy it is to follow the lyrics now. I have a Nautilus pressing of Elton John's greatest hits vol..1, and boy, what a treat to listen to hear it now! More silence, more details, more decay, just MORE MORE MORE! I never thought that a subplatter could make such a difference! I'm so happy I did not skimp and got the reference.
Doug R. June, 2009 Reference subplatter.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A brief message to thank you for sending the Subplatter so quickly and so well packed. Fitting it presented no problems and in the week since it was installed I have much enjoyed the listening experience and I have been surprised by the difference it makes. From the description I was expecting more low level detail, which is clearly there, but the bass also is improved and tighter.
Thanks for an excellent product!
Chris S. Canada January, 2010 Reference Subplatter
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just installed the new Subplatter. This is one amazing upgrade, thank you! Beautiful machining too...I hate to hide it underneath the platter.
John F. U.S.A. February 2010 Reference Subplatter
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks for your prompt delivery and terrific product. It looks classy and upgrades the clarity and detail as many previous reviews attest. Installation was a snap. Just for your information, my maple p25 has a fairly suave setup. A Clearaudio Syncro ps, a Rega Apheta and a wall shelf. Your product upgrades it further while staying philosophically quite close to Rega's vision.
Bill M. Canada March 2010 Reference Subplatter
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just wanted to e-mail and tell you how much I appreciate the sonic changes made by the subplatter. As we spoke previously, I am using perhaps to most inexpensive moving coil cartridge, the Denon DL 110. The best way to indicate the change is to discuss the sound from the cartridge. Before, and no matter how much I wanted to enjoy this cartridge, the sound was boring and flat. After the subplatter install, the cartridge has a sound similar to the $300-$400 cartridges I have had in the past. Simply, a huge improvement and a most pleasurable experience.
Walter A. U.S.A. April 2010 Reference Subplatter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wow, the components are just amazing quality! Wonderful job. All the
Rega users like me out here can't thank you enough. What a wonderful upgrade
to a Rega turntable!
As expected, the noise floor is substantially lower, instrument voices
perfectly in space within 3D soundstage. Also adds even more dynamic rhythm
and pace to this wonderful table.
I really think what you have done here is given all the P3 and P5 users out
there an opportunity to really enjoy the performance level of a P9 at a much
more affordable cost.
Outstanding reference level analogue playback in my opinion.
Shawn W. Canada May 2010 Reference Subplatter
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I received the Reference subplatter last week and installed it on Saturday. After an afternoon of running in the bearing I was ready to audition the upgrade on Sunday. I had read a lot on the improvements that your subplatter had made to other peoples decks, but was not prepared for the actual improvement on mine. I thought that previous upgrades (acrylic platter, counterweight, white rega belt and 24volt motor with rega speed control box) were about as far as this deck could go in credible audio improvements, but I was proved wrong, your reference subplatter improved the speed, timbre and more noticeably the bass. I am really pleased with the results and have invited all my vinyl junkie mates round for further auditions and possibly future customers for yourself.
Philip B. Scotland-U.K. June 2010 Reference Subplatter
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------