REGA - Reference Drive Belt Upgrade

First the delivery of this product was amazing. I received delivery two working days! Packaging was perfect for protection. I can't understand the other reviewers issues with this product. On my Rega Planar 2 combined with a Groovetracer custom subplatter, the fit was perfect. Then there is the sound....OMG! I had a hard time believing some of the reviews that a belt could make much of a difference. It does indeed...tighter bass, slightly better soundstage. Top notch product combined with world class service from the vendor.

I don't know it this is just a case of "psycho-acoustics" to justify the act of spending $59 for what amounts to a rubber band, but records did sound better. The bass was tighter and I could tell that the sound stage widened and instruments were more "localized" within that sound stage. Vocals were centered and forward with the rest of the band behind and to the slight left and right of the vocals. Orchestras seemed larger and more detail of the instruments could be heard. For you Rega turntable owners, I would recommend this upgrade.

I have a 1978 Rega Planar II with the Rega-supplied original tonearm and a Grado Black1 1/2" cartridge. I had left it too long between belt replacements and the old one (obviously not an original--it was at least the 7th one since I first bought the machine) started to become rigid and to slip. This new HiDEF Lifestyle replacement belt functions at least as well as the very first Rega belt did (that one lasted me nearly a full decade, in less than ideal climate-control conditions), and has an added advantage: it's light/white in color, so is very easy to see against the black plinth surface when you're attaching it. So, good for old geezers like me with failing eyesight, and better/easier for pretty much everyone else. I don't have "perfect pitch" but I do have a good sense of relative pitch, so I know when an analog disc is playing at the right speed because I can tell if a piece of music is in the right key or not. (The Rolling Stones' original studio recording of "Jumpin' Jack Flash" is in B minor, for example. And the Glazunov violin concerto op. 82 in A minor is in ... well, I rest my case.) As soon as I had installed this belt, my old turntable was playing my music collection pitch-perfect: there's no test like the ear test.

The belt quality is an improvement on the stock belt that came with the Rega. It removed the squeaking from the subplatter/platter that the old belt caused when the turntable was switched on. However this should be the stock belt. $57 is way too expensive for what is really a product very similar to a non-elastic rubber band. Since the stock belt barely could turn the platter, these seem like a money grab and should be included on a turntable that costs almost $1000.

Going into this purchase I was pretty skeptical that a new "rubber band" could make any difference to the vinyl playback on my Rega P1. But let me tell you, the difference is striking. In my case, I replaced the original black belt that came with my turntable with this one.One way I'd describe the sound is that all my records sounded slightly sped up and more dynamic. They weren't actually playing any faster, but this belt added a snappiness and precision that I hadn't realized was missing. Everything had more energy... higher highs and lower lows and more space around the individual instruments. For comparison's sake, I went back to the old belt and listened to the same music. By comparison, it felt sluggish and soft. Lazy even. I'd definitely recommend this purchase to anyone still using the black belt that comes with most entry Rega turntables.

This sat on my wish list for 3+ years because I just couldn't bring myself to spend $60 on a rubber band. Even in an audiophile market known for obscene margins and scientifically questionable promises of performance improvements, $60 for a rubber band seemed absurd. Eventually, though, the original belt on my 2016 Rega P3 started to slip and squeak, and the price on this belt went on sale for $40, so I bit the bullet. At least I could tell myself I didn't pay full price.Now that I've received it, I can report that it is indeed a rubber band. Oh, it's a very nice rubber band to be sure, but still a rubber band. It has noticeably more grip on my table's subplatter than the old belt, and it delivers more torque from the motor to the platter. The new belt also has a more premium feel in the hand than the old belt, and the platter doesn't whine or squeak if I forget to spin it on start-up anymore. I'd be lying, though, if I said there was an immediately noticeable improvement in the sound. The table sounded good before and it sounds good now.At $15, this would still be pricey, but I wouldn't feel gouged. At $60, it's the type of purchase that makes you want to atone and join Audiophiles Anonymous. I like the product, but I also kind of hate myself for buying it.

I have had My Rega RP3 for about 18 months, I am completely happy with it, especially since I added the TT PSU. It recently developed the 'Rega squeak', where it makes a small squeak sound for about one second, the first time you start it, if it has been sitting for a few days. I looked at some internet forums, and apparently this is common: it's the belt slipping on the pulley. Other people posted that they didn't care. The 'old' black belt (my last turntable was a Thorens, which I purchased new in 1998, and used until 2014, without ever changing the belt), seemed slightly bigger than the new white belt, which looked like it was better quality. Anyway, no more squeak! Better sound also. If this starts to squeak in a year and a half, I will just purchase a new one.

I just installed my new belt and watched with dismay as the belt rode up and down the turntable surface. It is as though the belt has a spiral ribbon to it. It rides up to the bottom of the glass platten and then falls back to the middle and then starts riding up again. Cycle is about 10 seconds long. Needless to say I am not thrilled with having paid for this...Update June 2017 My belt is now in pieces, see the picture. I put the original one back on. It still is whole.

Well I sisnt know what to think heading into this purchase. The upgrade belt seems expensive for what it is. I can't deny the positive effect it provided though. With thia belt my 12 year old Rega P7 sounded much clearer with better definition and a bit more dynamics. Would buy again.The seller shipped it well packed and ahead of schedule. Great service.

Contrary to another reviewer who mentioned it wasn’t compatible with the Planar series, it actually is.It is not compatible with the Planet series (and that’s mentioned on the package).Fits perfectly my old Rega Planar 3.

Livraison rapide, remplace ma vieille courroie à merveille. Belle transaction je vous le recommande sans hésitation!

Cette courroie fait une énorme différence ! Très satisfait.

Excellent!