CXA81 does not have a phono stage. Probably why they included one with this table.

I have the original Alva TT and also a Rega P6 with the Rega Ania Pro MC cartridge. I was disappointed to see that the Alva TT V2 substituted the Rega arm for what looks to be a mass produced one, very similar to those found on the upmarket Audio Technica turntables, purely to obtain a removable headshell. This will downgrade quality, surely. The Rega Ania and Apheta MC cartridges do not have a tie wire and their cantilevers are very long, so I suspect that the cartridge used on the Alva TT V1 & V2 is Sumiko based. That's what I've been told anyway. The Bluetooth works fine but my Alva TT can be somewhat quiet when using BT headphones due to the low output of the cartridge which is going into a MM input. Interesting review thanks.

I have had my REGA Planar 3for a year and it has give me so many problems. I'm returning that peice of s---t and looking into the direct drives. Do not buy into the hype of REGA. If they wanted to really put out a good product or improve, they wouldn't make you upgrade ANYTHING to get a good turntable. REGA is a joke.