Rega is a high-end audio equipment manufacturer based in the UK, making award-winning turntables since 1973. The brand has a big plethora of world-famous Planar turntable models, so today we will focus on comparing the most popular of them: Planar 1, Planar 1 Plus, and Planar 2. What are the differences and similarities between them? Which one is the right for you? Let’s dive in!
PLANAR 1
A multi-award winning ‘Plug and Play’ design that uses Rega’s handmade RB110 tonearm, with pre-set bias and a factory-fitted Carbon cartridge. With an extremely easy and fast set-up, this turntable delivers unbelievable performance for only $ 595.00.
Key Features
- Tonearm: Hand-assembled RB110 tonearm
- Cartridge: Factory fitted Carbon moving magnet cartridge
- Motor: The first entry-level Rega turntable to use a 24 V, synchronous AC motor with a new motor PCB and aluminum pulley offering low noise and better speed stability.
- Platter: 23 mm, higher mass, phenolic resin platter with improved flywheel effect for improved speed stability.
- Isolation: Our latest design foot assembly increases stability and reduces vibration transfer.
- Central Bearing Housing: Performance brass main bearing, offering improved fit and removing stress on the bearing itself whilst minimizing the transfer of potential energy.
- Plinth: Low mass plinth with vastly improved appearance and ergonomically positioned on/off switch located on the underside.
- Built-In Phono Stage: No
- Motor Cover Tray with Integrated Cooling: Yes
- Dust Cover: Clear
- Weight (lbs): 9.26 lbs
Complementary products - all from Rega - will provide you with a full system
- Rega Kyte Bookshelf Speakers
- Rega io Integrated Amplifier
- Rega BRIO Integrated Amplifier
- Rega Carbon MM Phono Cartridge
PLANAR 1 PLUS
If Planar 1 is already a multi-award winning turntable, the addition of a built-in high-quality MM phono stage makes the Planar 1 PLUS the ultimate ‘Plug and Play’ turntable for $ 725.00.
Watch the full review of the Rega Planar 1 Plus turntable on Gramophone's YouTube Channel!
Key Features
- Tonearm: Hand-assembled RB110 tonearm
- Cartridge: Factory fitted Carbon moving magnet cartridge
- Motor: 24 V, synchronous AC motor with a new motor PCB and aluminum pulley offering low noise and better speed stability.
- Platter: 23 mm, high mass, phenolic resin platter with improved flywheel effect for improved speed stability.
- Isolation: Our latest custom foot design increases stability and reduces vibration transfer.
- Central Bearing Housing: Precision brass main bearing, offering improved fit and removing stress on the bearing itself while minimizing the transfer of potential energy.
- Plinth: Low mass plinth with vastly improved appearance and ergonomically positioned on/off switch located on the underside.
- Integrated MM Phono Stage: Yes
- Motor Cover Tray with Integrated Cooling: Yes
- Dust Cover: Clear on black and white / smoked on walnut effect.
- Weight (lbs): 9.59 lbs
Complementary products - all from Rega - will provide you with a full system
- Rega Kyte Bookshelf Speakers
- Rega io Integrated Amplifier
- Rega BRIO Integrated Amplifier
- Rega Carbon MM Phono Cartridge
PLANAR 2
An innovative turntable that was developed over the period of two years, to be that step up from the Planar 1, and extract the maximum amount of information and detail from your vinyl records. The Planar 2 features the RB220 tonearm, a new 24 V, low noise motor, acrylic high gloss laminated plinth, newly designed central bearing and so much more, for $ 775.00.
Watch the full review of the Rega Planar 2 turntable on Gramophone's YouTube Channel!
Key Features
- Tonearm: Hand-assembled RB220 tonearm
- Cartridge: Factory fitted Carbon moving magnet cartridge
- Motor: New 24 V low noise, low vibration motor assembly, and new PCB.
- Platter: New float glass ‘Optiwhite’ 10 mm – Improved accuracy platter.
- Isolation: Re-designed feet - New improved foot assembly to increase stability and reduce vibration transfer.
- Central Bearing Housing: 11 mm self-securing brass bearing offering improved fit and less stress on the bearing preventing the transfer of potential energy.
- Plinth: High gloss acrylic or walnut effect laminated plinth, stiffer and vastly improved appearance with ergonomically positioned power switch.
- Built-In Phono Stage: No
- Motor Cover Tray with Integrated Cooling: Yes
- Dust Cover: Clear
- Weight (lbs): 12.12 lbs
Complementary products - all from Rega - will provide you with a full system
- Rega io Integrated Amplifier
- Rega BRIO Integrated Amplifier
- Rega Carbon MM Phono Cartridge
- Rega Exact 2 MM Phono Cartridge
- Rega Elys 2 MM Phono Cartridge