The Rega story is a fascinating one, but one that we can relate to very closely. The difference was that we ended up in retail and Roy Gandy ended up making Turntables in the mid 1970's when vinyl was at its peak of popularity! How did Rega start? At fourteen, Roy's mum asked him if he wanted a television or a record player in the house. Roy begged for a record player. His mum bought a telly! But that did not "crush" the desire and a few years later he became a part time retailer, but spending a ridiculous amount of time repairing new turntables before his conscience and common sense would allow him to sell them to others!
Out of frustration and a strong feeling he could do better, the Planet turntable was born. By 1973 he was making turntables in the evening, the first being sold through Cosmocord in the UK and a year later under the Rega name in West Germany, Denmark and France. In 1975 the Planar 2 was developed and quickly took its place in the market as the finest budget turntable. In June 1977 HI-FI News and Record Review announced the Planar 3 saying 'The complete unit is worth a look'! Rega's usual blaze of non-publicity. The story is very interesting and you can read the full story by clicking here.
