REGA PLANAR 3

The first turntable to come from Rega was the famous Planet, which went on sale in 1973. It was created by Roy Gandy with the help of his partner Tony Relph (REGA = RElph + GAndy).

REGA's first turntable the Planet.  

 

In 1975, the Planar 2 was introduced and in 1977 was joined by the Planar 3.

To date, over 300,000 Planar 3's have been manufactured and sold in over 25 countries throughout the world. In 1980, Rega had thirteen employees and exported to twelve countries. The company bought an old mill in Westcliff-on-Sea and transformed it into a factory. Other products followed, RB250 and RB300 in 1983, the Bias and Elys cartridges in 1988, Ela speakers in 1989 and the first amplifiers in 1991

The old mill became more and more cramped until a new factory was constructed in Southend in 1992. The new space enabled Rega to introduce three new models of speakers, an amplifier, a cartridge, a tuner, and most recently, a CD player.

In 1996, Rega has two factories, forty employees, and distributors in thirty countries. Rega's philosophy is to make high quality products at sensible prices, as a means of reproducing music as faithfully as possible. Rega is committed to the design and development of new and innovative products, both in hi-fi and other areas, that will perpetuate Regas' values of quality and value for the money.

 

REGA PLANAR 3 turntable.

 

 

Regas' reputation has been built on the success of its turntables. The Planar 3 represents a unique achievement of quality, performance, and value for the money. The plinth is dense non-resonant 1" thick MDF covered with a thick layer of black matte veneer. The belt drive system consists of a high-torque, AC synchronous motor and machined pulley which drives the precision-milled belt around a non-resonant polymer inner platter. The platter system is comprised of a 1/2" thick dense glass platter covered by a vibration damping felt mat. The spindle bearing is machined to incredibly high tolerances to ensure smooth rotation.

The Planar 3 comes equipped with one of the worlds finest tonearms, the RB300. The RB300 offers smooth operation and superb sound at a surprisingly low price. The RB300 has precision-balanced bearings, a resonance controlled tapered armtube, a fixed headshell, and damped cueing.

 



 

The RB300 is a fine example of a tonearm.  It is designed as a budget tonearm but with its superb performance, it would not be out of place on decks that cost much more than the Rega Planar 3.   The UK-based Company, ORIGIN LIVE has taken the RB300 one step further with its modifications. With the modifications in place the RB300 becomes much more rigid.   Origin Live can also rewire the arm with silver litz-wire and high quality RCA-Phono connectors.

 



A Rega RB300 tone arm

 

REGA RESEARCH
119 PARK STREET
WESTCLIFF-ON-SEA
SS0 7PD
ENGLAND


TEL: +44 (0)1702 333071
FAX: +44 (0)1702 432427


 

 

 

WHAT THE REVIEWERS SAID;

Stereophile Recommended Component Class D
The Rega offers very good detail, depth, midrange neutrality, ambience, and precision of imaging, almost creeping into Class B. Works well with the Rega and Roksan tables, but also recommended by ST as an ideal substitute for the arms that come with the AR and Sonograph' tables.

Stereophile Recommended Component Class D
April 1998 Page 105
"Two synergistic mixes of no-nonsense deck with superb arm (included). Lack of environmental isolation may be problematic (see "Letters" in Vol. 16 No. 10). However, "outstanding performance," Michael Fremer crowed about the Planar 3. 'It's quiet, dynamicfree of obvious tracking distortion or other supposed analog problems, extremely well-balanced top to bottom, offers very deep and reasonably tight bass, and will do no damage to your precious records.' Then he threw down his analog gauntlet: "If you're an all-CD kind of audiophile, here's the kicker: I think the Rega 3 will blow your mind, even if you have a very-high-priced spread."

 

Stereophile
December 1996 Vol. 18 #12 Page 65, Analog Corner - Michael Fremer
"While I have recommended Rega turntables to many friends and to readers who contacted me, and I have heard them in other people's system, until now, I hadn't had one in my listening room. I'm glad I finally got the opportunity. Now I can say, with complete confidence, that the Regas are an incredible bargain. They sound and perform even better than I previously thought."

"The Rega excelled at providing the rhythmic thrust of the music, which I think the Brits pay more attention to than the Americans do."

"The Rega 3 sound with any of the cartridges I used was extremely well balanced tonally that was the biggest surprise. I expected a slight metallic hardness on top with some bloat on the bottom. What I got was very tight ballsy bass that in some ways worked better on blues and rock than what I got from the TNT and the Rockport Arm."

"In general the Rega 3 tended to move the soundstage forward, putting the images closer to the plane of the loudspeakers. It slightly brightened the overall tonality and provided more of a stiff etched field to the cymbals, female voices and other sources, with lots of high frequency energy."

 

 

Turntable Wall Mount
Designed specifically for PLANAR turntables, Rega's wall mounted stand incorporates a three point suspension and in most applications is considerable more stable than floor mounted stands.

 

 

 

Mick Evans 1999-2000

Last update 1 September 2000

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