Quality, Sound, Ease of Use

Long Break-in Period

Well Bill Miller, didn't have anything better to do on Valentine's Day. I wonder if you are also Adam and Paul Birkeland? Same writing style, same extremely negative comments. Are you an ex-Rega employee with a beef? We may never know. I'm sure most people reading the comments in this site are aware that the reviews are only as good as the people who write them. That's why I get my first opinions from Hi-Fi magazines. Those reviewers are paid professionals with (usually) no hidden agenda. I bought both a Planet and the Rega Mira integrated amp (as well as new speakers) a week ago. I'm not ready to give a review until everything is broken in. However, after reading the previous reviewer's comments I must say something now. There are several Rega retailers in the Chicago area. None have had any (I repeat ANY) problem with Rega reliability. I personally have a 17-year-old Planar 2 turntable that still works fine. Rega has a published reputation for quality. Sorry Bill, you're dead wrong. Now, how does the Planet sound? Can't believe it deserves zero or even one star. I mean when you put a CD in it Bill, it does play? I certainly can give some credence to those reviewers that gave it three or two stars and spelled out in detail why they felt that way. On the other hand most of you will read a lot of reviews here that say is sounds as good as players at 3 or 4 times it's price. Is it that good? Maybe. Music, whether live or recorded, is such a personal thing. I will say that after a week of listening I am perfectly satisfied with my purchase decision. In another month, I'll give a full objective review. For now I'll give it five starts because I can not give it six.

Similar Products Used:

Naim

Very natural sound,warm and full.

none considering price point and competition

I've listened to many CD players over the last year, and don't understand what all the fuss is about. Not fast enough
on classical music, too bright, too dull, blah,blah,blah.....
This is one player that does way more right than wrong. Very warm and natural sounding, not etched or overhyped as many of it's competition's are. Excellent build quality and its fun to use. To gain any real difference in sound be prepaired to spend at least twice as much or more.
Way to go Rega Research!!

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Yamaha, Denon, Rotel

I replaced a CAL DX2 with the Rega about a week ago - it is an unbelievable difference. Not that the DX2 wasn't a perfectly reasonable player, but the Planet has opened up the stage conciderably (especially in terms of width), presented more detailed low frequencies, and brought the image into much clearer focus. It let me stop thinking quite so much about how my system sounded and just set me right in the music. The build quality is fine - like everyone else, i think the top loading thing is cool - but the look and feel of the details are not quite what I was expecting - The jacks are close together and run-of-the-mill, the two-prong plug is non-removable, the front panel controls are sort of silly looking. I think the look and feel is this player's weakest area, but the sonics more than compensate.

For under $1000Cdn this machine is a steal. Top load mechanism is very simple to use and probably will prove to be very trouble-free over time. Overall construction is unequalled at this price point. Presents great depth and placement of instruments in most recordings I auditioned. A/B'ed this machine with a Micromega Stage 6( at twice the price) and frankly it sounded every bit as good.
Highly recommend this machine for your consideration as a fine choice of equipment both sonically and mechanically.

Most of the CD Player under $1K have very similar sound quality with the exception of the Rega Planet. This is the only affordable player that I've auditioned that sounded anything like the big guns. It has the refined nature of true high end equipment but at a fraction of the price. Soundstage presentation is the best that I've heard for budget gear! Plus it doesn't look like all the other CD players on the market. Listen to the Planet before buying any other player.

The Rega Planet is an unbelievable CD Player at any price. It does everything right. I was a skeptic before listening to this player but man, it was love at first listen. Vocals and instruments sounded real and well placed especially for a cd player in this price class. After listening to a few other more expensive players at the dealer, the Rega sounded superior by a long shot. Go to a dealer that knows what they're doing and you won't be disappointed.

Great Value

Few. Plug polarity seems important.

80% of the complaints about high end audio are about excessive treble. The Brits have gone a long way toward curing this problem with the Rega Planet. This CD player images and is rather clear without the traditional sound of overextended highs present in most digital playback technology. This piece will do wonders to civilize the sound of most systems. Dynamite.

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Acurus ACDII

Musicality and Construction

Lack of super low level resolution

I must admit, it's not the most detailed CD player but damn, it just sounds right when matched with the right gear. Good pace and presentation. It has enough detail to get you into the music without offending. I also own the Arcam Alpha 9 and an NAD C520. The Arcam is comparable but I feel the Rega does a better job with getting the listener into the music and forgetting about the equipment he/she is using. That to me is more important than hearing every little detail in the recordings. Thumbs up for musicality. This player is probably better suited for jazz and vocals.

Not recommended if you want to pair it with mass market receivers. Good synergy with Bryston equipment. I found Cardas cables to best with it.

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Marantz,Rotel,Arcam,NAD

Visually raw appearance, smooth "un-cd like" quality to sound, top notch D/A conv.

Sony transport mech. (there's got to be something better out there than this)

Mix your components carefully. Things can get muddy quickly, which is why I changed my interconnect from stranded (QED) configuration to a solid core Audioquest. Bass is tighter and treble more prevalent. Tonal balance is much better now.

As for the unit itself... The player is very unassuming. The best way I can sum it up is to say that with most players you want to fire them across your room after anything close to an extended period due to the abrasive nature of CD's. This is not the case with the Planet. Those who say it has a laid back tendancy are right, but only to a degree. It all depends on what the Planet is connected to.

If I wanted to go a step closer to razor sharp detail I could tack on AQ litz arrangement solids for my speaker runs. You will be amazed what cable can do to tailor the sound; and it's your cheapest weapon in this battle.

When you look at it critically, this is an extremely flexible player, as you most likely won't have to scrap your amp to arrive at the sound you're looking for.

If you are the type of person who needs to be slapped in the face before you get the message then don't bother with this unit. However, if you prefer to listen to a component that integrates with subtlty whilst not compromising accuracy (somehow) than this is for you.

I have tried to justify a lower rating, but I can't.

Similar Products Used:

n/a Totem Sttaf (with beaks), Audioquest Copperhead 1m interconnect, MITerminator 6 (8" lengths), Rega Brio amp

I was offered this player for £150 by a friend and couldn't really refuse at this price! It had only been used very occasionally and was in perfect condition. The first thing I noticed about this player was the slightly over generous bass and lack of overt detail. But it did sound quite dynamic and involving, if not up to vinyl standards (I use an LP12). However, I had read that this player, more than most, needs burning in, so I left it on repeat for over a week. The result? Well my friend couldn't have really burnt the thing in because it now sounds like a different machine. More detail, more focus, more music and even better dynamics. The bass is still slightly overgenerous, and for the first time I wish my Meridian 101b pre amp had tone controls so that I could just take a fraction off the bass. I suppose the only solution is less bass heavy speakers, when I get some cash, as I've got no scope to experiment with placement. My verdict: I got a fantastic machine for less than some pay for interconnect!