Which Rega Turntable - Planar 1 vs Planar 3?
Here at Audio Trends we love Rega and have a real connection with their turntables which we think are pretty special. Members of our staff have been to the Rega factory to see how things are designed and built and even stayed at Roy Gandy’s house!
We think all Rega turntables are objects of desire and the Planar 1 is no exception. Having said that, their turntables get even more desirable as you go up the range. The big difference between the Rega Planar 1 and the Planar 3 is really about refinement – both in sound and build quality.
Rega Planar 1 - Two Speed Manual Belt Drive Turntable
The Planar 1 is an amazing entry point into vinyl – it’s super easy to set up, fuss-free to use, and it instantly gives you that warm, rich vinyl character that makes people fall in love with records in the first place. At Audio Trends, we love recommending the Planar 1 to anyone just getting started because it’s proof that great sound doesn’t need to be complicated. But the Planar 3 takes everything you get with the Planar 1 and layers in more precision, more detail, and more of that special “live music” feeling.
Rega Planar 3 Turntable - Rega RB330 Tonearm & Glass Platter
A lot of that comes down to the components Rega have used in the Planar 3. It features the legendary RB330 tonearm, which is a one-piece design that’s ultra-rigid, helping the stylus track the grooves of your records with incredible accuracy. The plinth (that’s the main body of the turntable) is stiffer and reinforced with Rega’s clever double brace technology, which keeps vibrations at bay. Then there’s the upgrade from the Planar 1’s phenolic resin platter to a thick glass platter, which not only looks the part but also spins with more stability and consistency. Add in the option of better cartridges like the Rega Nd3, Nd5 or even an Ortofon 2M Blue, plus the ability to pair it with the Neo Power Supply for even more performance and convenience, and you can see why the Planar 3 has such a loyal following.
Why Buy The Rega Planar 3?
What all of this translates to is a much more engaging listening experience. With the Planar 1, you’ll absolutely enjoy your records and it’ll sound great, but with the Planar 3 you start to hear the finer textures – the breath in a vocal line, the shimmer of a cymbal, the separation between instruments in a busy mix. Bass feels tighter and more dynamic, and the overall soundstage feels bigger and more alive. It’s the difference between just hearing a song and really feeling like you’re in the room with the band. That’s why we at Audio Trends are such big fans of Rega, and why the Planar 3 is absolutely worth the upgrade if you’re serious about your vinyl journey – it’s a deck you can grow with and appreciate for years to come.