Price, appearance, simplicity

For a budget table, none

A couple of years ago I decided I wanted to get back into vinyl. After about a day playing my old Sony (mothballed since the early 90's), I knew I was going in the right direction but would need a better turntable.

The Planar 3 was selected because it was 1) affordable, 2) simple to set up & operate, 3) its arm was the subject of rave upon rave review, and 4) it could be had in a variety of interesting colors. I chose purple. I also appreciate the Rega's light weight compared to, say, a VPI.

To wrap up, the Planar 3 is not the last word in turntables and is a bit downscale from my other gear, but it provides an extremely effective way to get at least 90 - 95% of what vinyl can deliver. This Purple Planer therefore holds a proud place on my rack.

Cartidges: Shure v15, Sumiko BP. Rest of system Bryston, Meridian, B&W.

Similar Products Used:

Sony

rhythm

none

I’ve bought the Rega 3 in 1992 and made over the years some modifications to get a better sound.
How to get a better sound:
1.Replace rubber feet by spikes
2. Put the turntable at a good isolation platform
3. Use a good cartridge ( I’m happy with my Rega Exact)
4. Replace the original record mat by the Ringmat.
5. Use C37 ( www.ennemoser.com)
6. Replace internal wire ( external.)
I use as a platform 5 cm thick MDF with bitumen were I have put a weight of 7 kg on it.
There is enough space between the weight and turntable, the platform is also equipt with spikes.
I also put some C37 lack on the tonearm and glasplatter
For internal wire I have used Siltech cable , the latest upgrade was replacing the external
Transparent Link cable with the Transparent phonocable.

system:
Speaker: Translator Stylus one ( i glueed underneath the box a 7 Kg weight of solid steel)
Linn intek amp (mid/high, pre-amp connected to a separated transformer )
powertek (low)
Speaker cable : Symo Ls5 (mid /high)
cogelco (like the vdHul scs12 , low)
Mas powercord
All chasis are damped with bitumen also i used lack C37 ( www.ennemoser.com)
thru out the system. On all cabels are shakti stones and i use also Harmonix enacom toys.

Music: Jazz, classic, pop

Big, involving and musical sound; great tonearm; unfussy installation

Needs a decent support and a good cartridge, otherwise none

I never really forgot the sound I used to hear in my parent's house. My musical initiation was through vinyl. Though then I would listen to music in a modest system (a Goldstar TT with an Audio Technica cartridge, if my memory serves me well), I actually never got to match the fulness and smoothness of that sound with digital sources. So, after eight years deprived of analogue sound, I decided to buy a turntable. A sudden increase in vinyl offer (here in Portugal at least) helped me make up my mind about going analogue again, and I couldn't be happier with my decision.

After all, CDs sound poor compared to ol' vinyl. Aside that famous smoothness, I find that the all important aspects of timing, instrumental separation, soundstage, bass dynamics and timbre accuracy provided by LPs have never been equalled by CD, and that is obviously why new formats are to come in a bid to outclass CD musical reproduction. The synthetic and grainy sound of CD never got to convince me, and I suspect I'm not the only one who feels this way.

Let's be perfectly clear about one thing: if CD reproduction were really that perfect (remember Sony and Philips claim of "perfect sound forever"?) then why the hell would anyone be developping SACD and DVD-A?

So, in the year 2000, in the beginning of a century of technical prowess and maximum convenience, I purchased... a turntable! An used Rega Planar 3, in very good condition. It was a natural choice, given that I also have a Rega CD player, the Planet, which is very good. Unfortunately, my dealer had only black TTs, so, like Ford model T purchasers, I could have chosen any colour I liked, as long as it were black :-)! It's a shame, as the silver model looks really cool...

I also bought a Musical Fidelity X-LP phono stage, a Kimber PBJ cable and, being totally ignorant on cartridges, I relied on the dealer's suggestion, so a Sumiko Pearl MM cartridge was fitted. But I suspect that's the weakest link here, so any suggestions are warmly welcome. Please feel free to e-mail me.

The first thing I noticed about my "new" turntable was how quiet and stable it was when I turned the motor on. No trace of pitch instability - which belies this TT's reputation - and not a hint of hum or microphony.

(Sander - thank you for your useful piece of advice on how to help the motor when starting it by pushing the platter.)

The other half-surprise was the tonearm's performance, which runs very steadily even through warped or otherwise damaged records. The antiskating is always on the 0 position; no matter how damaged the record is I never needed this feature. This must be why this tonearm is so often fitted in Michell and VPI turntables. The RB300 comes up trumps here.

This combination (it is difficult for me to appreciate each component individually) is a big-sounding one. It has a full-on sound that doesn´t get too dark or dense, thanks to excellent instrumental separation. The latter also helps create an extraordinarily wide, open soundstage with a pinpointing imagery that gives music a fantastic "listen-through" feeling. Transients are faster, cleaner and more powerful than on CD, and then there's that smoothness that makes cymbals and female voices sound so clean and pleasant on the ear. Bass is fast and full, and it never tips into boominess (although at the expense of really deep bass). But it is also dynamic in a way CD simply can't emulate, which makes the sound both rhythmic and involving.

The key word here is "naturalness". There's a tonal accuracy that's simply irresistible, far from the synthetic quality that pervades most CD recordings. You actually get the feeling of real instruments being played in a large studio/concert hall.

I am very satisfied with my purchase. The Planar 3 is an excellent turntable, built to last and easy to use. It has Rega's signature of bold, foot-tapping and involving sound, and is great value, even when purchased new. I dare say its best feature is the tonearm, which really seems excellent. The heavy glass platter adds also some class, but overall it is a rather prosaic-looking turntable. But then, who cares about looks?

Although I haven't made any experiences on this subject, I believe the relatively poor compliance of the P3's feet demands a very steady surface to support it. I have a DIY rack made of granite shelves and stainless steel rods, in which the top shelf is decoupled with Goldring cones. These are adjustable, making levelling very easy. It sounds very good and steady: although my TT sits between the speakers and I live in a house where lots of vibration creeps in due to heavy traffic, tracking was never disturbed, so I can conclude that a granite shelf is a good option for this turntable.

I know TTs haven't the convenience of CD players, and that vinyl is rather fragile, and I'll experience some difficulty in buying new LPs (unfortunately vinyl is almost extinct in my country, due to the utter stupidity of most store owners, who will only sell CDs), but vinyl, IMHO, still has the edge. I have a very, very good CD player that is satisfyingly rhythmic and involving, but its performance is severely limited by CD recording quality, which is, in most cases, lamentable. On the other hand, you don't need 180g pressings to get a good sound from vinyl: poor recordings are the exception, not the rule, which is the opposite of CD. In my book, this, along with the superior musicality of analogue recordings, is more than enough to justify the purchase of a turntable in this convenience-obsessed era.

My system:

- Rega Planar 3, Musical Fidelity X-LP phono stage, Sumiko Pearl cartridge
- Rega Planet CD player
- Primare A20 MkII integrated amplifier
- ProAc Tablette 50 speakers
- Kimber 8TC speaker cable, Kimber Hero (CD-amp) and Kimber PBJ (phono stage-amp) interconnects.

Price, performance.

Look, VTA adjustment.

This Is my First good quality Turntable. I was a little sceptical about that the LP sound can be better than the CD sound, of course played in a acceptable good CD player (As my Rotel CBX 695 and Marantz 67SE). Well, when I play my first LPs (via the Rega, Clearaudio cartridge Arum Beta, and the Adcom preamp's phono satage)I hear a very good sound, in some family old LPs and Audiophile label LPs the sound have air, beautiful soundstage and was in general very satisfiying. I was very pleased. Later, I buy the Lehmann Audio's Black Cube, and the sound in some of my LPs was better (and still) than the CDs (with the same recording and artist). When I hear Sonny Rollins' now's the time! I have not to imagine Sonny playing the sax, Sonny is in front of me. Very realistic.
I'm very pleased with this Turntable, cartridge, phonopreamp combo.

Amps: Counterpont NPS-100
Bryston 3B-ST
Pre: Adcom
Acurus
CD Rotel
Marantz
Interconnect: Audioquest Coral, Diamondback, Topaz, Ruby. Kimber PBJ.
Speakers Cables: Kimber Monocle XL and 8TC, AQ Indigo and Forest.

Speakers: B&W CDM-1SE
Totem M1

Similar Products Used:

Mid-Fi Technics

Great sound, well-built, classic design, excellent integrated arm, reliable, superb value for money

Speed instability, motor noise, flimsy lid

Love it or hate it, the Rega Planar 3 is a classic budget turntable. I bought mine in 1994 as part of a major system upgrade. Nothing against my old Technics direct drive as it was quite a good piece of equipment, but my vinyl collection had grown substantially since I acquired the Technics in 1987 and I thought it was time to invest in a better turntable.

When looking to upgrade my system, I very nearly bought a Technics SL-1210Mk2 as most of my collection is rock and pop music and, although the Technics T/T would have been OK with the rest of my system, it simply wasn't able to deliver the sonic detail and dynamics of the Planar 3.

I have read reviews of the Technics SL-1210 on this site and it seems that some people feel that people who buy Rega kit are snobs and don't like Technics. WRONG! I use my Rega with a Technics-based separates system comprising SUA 700 Mk 3 amp and SL-PS770A CD player. I am a big fan of Technics products, but when it came to upgrading the T/T in my system, the Rega was the clear winner in listening tests I carried out.

Anyhow, onto the Rega Planar 3. This is a superb deck and paired with a Rega Elys cartridge, it knows how to deliver the goods with just about anything you throw at it, especially rock and pop music. Put this baby on a decent audio component rack and boy will it sing! I have mine set up on a Soundstyle X105 rack and sounds great.

One of the great things about this T/T is the bass - it's tight and fast. Well-recorded material really shines on this piece of kit and it certainly gives CD a good licking! I was a late convert to CD, buying my first CD player in 1994 (at the same time as the Rega) and I thought my vinyl collection would not really grow much after that, especially as vinyl was becoming obsolete. How wrong I was because since I've had the Rega my vinyl collection has grown substantially and I listen to vinyl more now than ever before!!!

Many things have been written in praise of the Planar 3 and at this price point (about £300 here in the UK), there isn't really anything that beats it, with the possible exception of the new P3 from Rega. It knocks spots off similarly priced equipment from NAD, Dual, Thorens, etc.

My only major gripe with the Planar 3 is the speed - mine plays slightly too fast on both 33 1/3 rpm and 45 rpm settings. I read with interest the review by Jay Totten, who remarks that speed problems can be related to accidentally damaging the centre spindle upon initially unpacking the product or moving it with the platter still in place.

I have to admit I have moved the Planar 3 on ocassion without removing the platter, but not very often. Is there really a chance I might have damaged the centre spindle without knowing it? Also, does anyone know if the new P3 motor upgrade solves the speed problems? I have also written to Rega about the problem of pitch instability on this T/T and I never got a reply. Very frustrating.

I would hope that the P3 motor upgrade also solves the noise problem! I have my hi-fi system located closely to the TV/VCR and if the TV is on at the same time as the T/T the hum is unbearable! That may be in part to due to a noisy phono stage on the Technics amp but I suspect it has more to do with the noisy Rega motor!!!

My only other minor gripe is the rather flimsy lid on what is otherwise an excellently made piece of hi-fi. Gets 5 stars for value and sound. Also, anyone considering buying a Planar 2 should fine the extra cash and get a 3, it's well worth it! If anybody wants to email with comments, questions or feedback they are more than welcome. Thanx!

Similar Products Used:

Technics SL-D33

Great detail and warmth down low, Great tonearm

slightly high pitched sound

I'm only new to the fabulous world of vinal, starting with an old sl-b2 coupled with a NAD pp1 I bought new. When purchasing my present system, comprising of a NAD C-340 , Mission 771's and a marantz cd5000 I wanted a turntable along witha pp1, but funds would not permit. So I bought the pp1 some months later and connencted my sl-b2 to it- the results? Not bad at all with a decent goldring cartridge. Then soon after I found a Rega plannar 3 with a rega cartridge in perfect condition at my local cash converters store. Once connected to my system through the pp1 the results were very rewarding indeed, detail levels are high and the overall sound from the rega was great.

What I found very special was the tonearm which upon further investigation had recieved very pleasing reviews from various HiFI press. I'd say I agree, an arm like this is unheard of on a budget turntable and coupled with a decent cartridge the rega simply rocks!

One downer though, I've found the rega to be slightly high pitched at times, depending on what your listening to. This may be just me or is it a real problem? I'm very interested to know, anyway having said that I have no hesitation in recommending the rega plannar 3 to anyone who is on a budget but wants to listen to the way recorded music is meant to be heard.

Similar Products Used:

Technics SL-B2