A big thanks to John for the extended loan of his excellent counterweight.
I initially fitted this to a Standard Rega RB 250 I was using. To give some context to the review, the RB 250 was fitted to a Garrard 401 which was in turn mounted in a twin level slate plinth. The cartridge of choice was an Audio Technica AT33PTG. The deck was connected to a Highphonics T5 Step up transformer which in turn fed into a Puresound P10 phono stage. A WD preamp, and WD Psu and then into a Glasshouse 300B amp and onto my Tannoy GRF Memory speakers all via various 99.99 solid silver interconnects and Mogami speaker cable.
The weight looks excellent straight out of the packaging. John suggests that the production models will be better finished, my opinion is that there is no need for a better finish at the risk of increasing the unit cost of the weight and potentially losing out against the competition.
I found the weight far easier to set up and use than other weights I have tried on the Rega.
Its a well thought out design with low slung counterweight with reduces the centre of gravity of the arm assembly
The weight is well made and well presented using quality materials and finish.
My initial listening impressions with the weight fitted was that the sound is now more dynamic top to bottom with more texture to the sound, bass is deeper and the higher frequencies are brighter. Voices are clearer and sweeter. The main most noticeable thing the weight does is focus and makes the bass more prominent in the mix.
I then changed the tonearm and fitted a Rega RB 600. As generically this is the same arm as the RB 250 the comments regarding ease of fitting apply equally to this arm.
The improvements sonically were not as marked as had been noted in the RB 250 probably due to better Quality Control being employed by Rega with the 600 over the 250, however there was still an improvement in bass dynamics.
The improvements I have spoken about are not comparing Johns weight against the standard Rega weight but against Technoweights which were fitted to both my Rega Arms.
In conclussion to my ears the weight is a complete success and I would certainly consider buying one having heard and tried one.
Andy
PS John your weight will be winging its way back to you next week sometime