Had this player for about 15 years and its just come back from Rega after its first repair. I'm not complaining about this as it has been switched on for most of that time, so I could use it whenever, and not have to wait for it to warm up. I am really pleased with this player, it blew the others out of the water when I had a listening test at my local HiFi shop. To me it is like listening in 3D, with voices and instruments sounding separate to each other and also with a depth that makes them real, and not a flat drawing.

If a CD is badly recorded this player is not forgiving. It plays them as they were made, and you soon realise that some are much better than others.

This player came up on an auction site, but I'd only occasionally heard of the Rega brand. Having looked up the reviews from various sources (Audioreview very helpful, as usual), I was curious enough to try it out. I have a much younger Audiolab 8200CD which is superb at its price point. But wow, the Rega Planet 2000 gave it quite a run for its money! The 8200 has a richer sound, more depth and a wider sound stage, but the way that the Rega picks out detail and it's fine musicality makes it a very entertaining and engaging listen. If you can pick up a good example second hand, it's worth taking a chance. I doubt that you'll be disappointed. It has earned a long term place in my system. Very highly recommended.

detailed, accurate, clear, crisp

exposes any weakly recorded cds.

Having owned nad, myryad and krell cd players, I had significant expectations when the rega planet 2000 arrived. I must say that I am pleased. The top loading mechanism, the front display and the decent remote have exceed my expectations. As for the sound, I must say it is closer to analog than any of the previous cd players that I have owned. It is also a cd player that sounds great with good cds and bad with bad cds. Details are exposed. My advice is that if you have newer better recrded cds, you will love this cd player. If you have older, less than stellar recorded cds, pass on this player as this will expose their every weakness. I am very pleased and bought the cd player at a great price via ebay. I would recommend rega to anyone.

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krell kav 250 nad 521 nad 541 myryad

Resolution between musical instruments. Design. Nice remote control.

Too much bright and agressive if you don't have a compatible interconnect with neutral speaker.

I bought my Rega Planet 2000 CD player in 2001. I paid it 1300,00$ CDN in Montreal. At the store, I compared and listened this CD player with some CD players in the same price range as Cambridge audio and Musical Fidelity. Also, I compared it with the first version of the Rega Planet (1997) which looks like a BBQ. The main difference between the Rega Planet 1997 and 2000 is a better resolution. It's easier to distinguish the musical instruments between them with the Planet 2000. For the rest, it's approximately the same level performance in my memory. When I compared the Planet 2000 with models from Cambridge and Musical Fidelity, It was not better or worst but only different. Finally, I chose the Rega Planet 2000 because It has the more realistic piano reproduction. The piano sonata "Invitation to the dance" by Weber (Naxos) was fantastic with the Planet 2000. Unfortunately, in my house with my Rega Mira amp and my Rega Alya loudspeaker, I was dissapointed about the musical performance. Even after a period of "breaking in", I was not satisfied. It sounded too bright and agressive to my ear. It lacks bass extension also. I was discouraged! What could I do to resolve this problem? I changed the audio interconnect and I obtained a real improvement in the musical performance. I bought a 200,00$ CDN Filtronique interconnect. Now, my Planet is softer than before. The bass extension is really better and it's warmer also. Now, I'm really satisfied of this CD player. After that, I decided to change my Rega Alya speakers for the JM Lab Chorus 715 speakers. With my new speakers, the Rega Planet 2000 is better again! In sum, if you buy the Rega Planet 2000 CD player, you should use a warm and dynamic amp with a warm and soft interconnect which has a good bass extension. Finally, a neutral speakers is a must.

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Arcam, Cambridge and Musical Fidelity.

rich, warm, detailed, price to performance

reliability for me anyways

well I am not sure how to rate this gear - depending on what you want it rated on. In terms of performance, this is a beautiful sounding, warm CD player that is very revealing, somewhat vinyl sounding actually which is not suprising for one of the world`s top manufacturer`s of turntables. to find something as good sound-wise you would probably pay a lot more and is why it is rated a sterophile B component, meaning it is incredible dollar value for sound. where i have problems with it is in terms of reliability - I own a bryston 4b, a pair of acoustic energy AE speakers and the rega planet as well as a rega cursa pre amp. the Acoustic Energy and Bryston not only sound amazing but have been incredibly reliable - I think you could drop the bryston off a 10 story building and it would run fine after :) however I have had problems with both Rega pieces of equipment - on the preamp, the ground for the turntable stopped working - giving me a nice buzz when I put a record on, the volume screetches when I turn the volume knob (and yes it is the preamp - I tried with other preamps that were fine) and the rega cd player after about 2 years started dying - power would go off and on without any explanation (and no it isn`t anyone sitting on the remote :) ) so this review is 3-part. for sound quality the planet is pretty much unbeatable for the price. I highly recommend it if you are willing to perhaps have to send it in at some point for repair. but still worth it - it sounds amazing in terms of overall build quality - I have my doubts about Rega at this point. in terms of preamp - the cursa is good for the price (about 900 US) - but I tried a bryston bp25 which in all fairness is a few hundrer more but simply clobbered the rega in terms of performance. perhaps the combo with their amp is what made the difference but my experience has been that with people who own both these preamps the bryston is far superior no matter what surrounds it. anyways I give it a 4 - made up of 5 for sound quality 3 for reliability

Everything, including the exceptional bass.

If I wanted to be an ass, I would say the upper midrange. But you can't have it all at $950.

Obviously you know that I love this player as the ratings to the left attest. The first thing I would like to say is that I have had absolutely no problems like the reviewer below me described. If anything, the Planet is a well engineered machine that is extremely reliable. Short of jumping up and down on the floor right next to the machine, I can't see how the transport would be prone to skipping. Then again it is possible he had a loose connection or something. In any event... My system used for the Planet includes: Planet 2000 - Transparent MusicLink Plus Interconnect - Rega Brio Integrated - Rega Quattro Speaker Cable - Polk Audio LSi-15's. In an earlier review of the Brio I noted how the bass was a tad sloppy and lacked low level slam. This is no longer the case, as I suspect my Nordost Solar Winds are a tad lean in the bass. The Rega Planet 2000 and the Transparent cable worked like magic. Low level detail increased, bass slam REALLY increased, and it all had Rega's trademark PRaT too. In fact, this player compares VERY favorably to Naim's CD5i, lacking only a degree or two in an utterly black background. It's not quite as clean either, and the upper midrange (female vocals) isn't as focused and sweet. But I will go to bat for the Rega's bass over the Naim. I absolutely love it! To be fair I've only listened to the Naim with the Nordost interconnect so before I reserve final judgement I should swap the two interconnects. However, the Rega/Transparent combo made such a stark contrast that I wondered whether the Polk's woofer baffles had instantaneously broken in 100%. Not likely. The Rega's bass is just that good. Specifically, Pink Floyd's "Hey You" hit me in the stomach like I've never been hit before. Incredible bass slam! Dynamic swing, soundstaging, three dimensionality, and neutrality were all outstanding. And for the asking price it's a giant killer!

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Naim, Arcam, NAD, Mark Levinson, Esoteric, Denon, Sony

Realistic sound stage, good detail.

Cheap-looking cabinet, unreliable CD transport. Very weak in the knees!

A no-nonsense performer with great neutrality, exact imaging of instruments. A bit on the cool side, and certainly not "vastly" different from other CD players. Analogue sound? What's that like. You won't find it here, as the Planet (2000) sounds like just another up-market CD player. I auditioned this against other players in the US$600-1,500 range, against an Arcam CD 73T. Compared to the Arcam's full, warm sound the Rega came off as just a bit too cool and analytical. The 3D soundstage of the Arcam was noticeably bigger (and, PLEASE, we're talking minor, CD-player differences here!), the Rega seemed a bit more muted, while detail was a little more pronounced. In short: As a classical listener, I favored the Arcam, because of its well-rounded orchestral sound and the blooming voices. The Rega isn't bad though, sonics-wise. However, if you don't find the sound REMARKABLY different from other players, give it a pass. It's not just the cheapo, Starship Enterprise like lid (it really looks like the NCC 1701, doesn't it?), but the unstable CD transport. If you just touch the player's faux alloy front near the drive, the laser jumps. If you touch another unit in your chain, standing next to the Rega, the Rega's laser jumps. This is not very trust-inspiring, I can tell ya. I returned the Rega, kept the Arcam (until further test results should indicate the is a truly BETTER performer).

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Musical Fidelity A3.2 (unreliable!), Arcam CD 73T, Shanling S-100, Denon DCD-685, Marantz CD 67SE, Harman Kardon CD 7400.

Very natural, analog sounding with great bass, very good mids and astonishing detailed but smooth highs - only noticable in very good stereo setups.

Highs are limited thru the rest of the setup.

One of my best friends got a Rega Planet and it sounds way better then my old Mission CD Player. I read some reviews her on audioreview.com and the new planet 2000 seemed to be a bargain for money. So I took the chance and bought a rega planet 2000 on ebay last year. All I can say is that this machine is really GREAT ! I connect it to very different setups. Result: The planet has a lot of advantages that only very fine audio equipement can reproduce. In a midrange setup the planet sounds good but a little week in the highs. But with first class equipement the true quality of this player shines thru ! The Rega Planet 2000 is the last CD player I will ever buy.

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Mission Dad5, Rega Planet

Deep, well defined, tuneful bass. Sweet, smooth, slightly warm side of neutral midrange. Utterly grain-free, smooth treble with excellent detail, not etched. Incredible analog character.

None, especially at this price.

I've never felt compelled to write a review till now, not that I haven't purchased other excellent equipment,but the Rega Planet 2000 is just too good to keep it to myself. I've always felt that the CD was inferior to analog due to harshness in the treble region and a homogenized, less complex sound. I don't operate on an unlimited budget, so expensive high end equipment was not in the picture. Well, the Rega Planet 2000 is an answer to my audio prayers. It is utterly non-fatiguing. I can close my eyes and imagine that I am listening to a top-flight turntable without the pops and clicks. The sweet, grainless treble, the smooth, warm midrange and the deep and tuneful bass combine to make gorgeous music. I am sure that there are better players, but you would have to pay considerably more to appreciate better performance. If you are put off by the harshness of the CD format, Planet is the remedy. Many CD's that I didn't listen to due to the edginess factor are now very enjoyable. It's not like the highs are rolled off, it's that the detail has a softness or sweetness that makes for a more relaxed performance . I could say much more, but you should hear it for youself. I am in love.

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Arcam, Adcom Present system: Rega Planet 2000 W/ Synergistic AC cord. Audio Refinement Complete Integrated W/ Synergistic AC cord. Spendor S1 speakers on Atacama N60 24" stands. Straightwire E

detail,bass is ok,imaging is good,

soundstage a little flat,lacking that last bit of air on the cymbals

I've listened to this player on several different setups and it was the same on each one.The Planet lacks that last little bit of air and the soundstage is a little flat.It does have good detail thou and rythm is ok.I did a side by side comparison with the Cary 308 and the Rega got beat the hell up.It cannot compete with the Cary as far as musicality goes.The Cary just seems to make you want to listen more.

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Quad ,Cary,VTL