REGA Planar 1 manual turntable

The British manufacturer isn't done surprising us. After the release of the new Planar 2 and Planar 3, REGA does it again with the renewal of its best-seller, the RP1, announcing the PLANAR 1 (ONE).

Rega Planar 1: tonearm and cartridge

An untrained eye might look at it and think only the finish has changed. Well, that's to underestimate Sir Roy Gandy and his crew. In reality, there is no longer anything in common with the RP1, apart from the dust cover, the hinges and the cartridge.

It comes with the new RB110 tonearm, entirely designed by REGA. This features new, further improved bearings with an ultra-low friction rate. They are, in fact, patent pending.

The anti-skating adjustment is no longer accessible; it receives a fixed centripetal force compensation system, adjusted for the cartridges compatible with this arm, of course.

The arm rest and its lock have a new design that improves the assembly's efficiency.

Note that this RB110 arm benefits from a new tube as well as a new headshell that is more rigid and assembled with greater precision.

The counterweight is also new, now weighing 111 g, which lets the arm accept a wider range of cartridges. As standard, the REGA Planar One turntable is fitted with a Rega Carbon MM cartridge.

Rega Planar 1: platter, belt, motor and accessories

The central spindle bearing is harder and more resistant, which reduces stress on the well as well as the transfer of potential energy. The Planar 1 has a new, thicker 23 mm phenolic resin platter. It has been optimised to provide better inertia and therefore better speed stability.

Changing speed (45 rpm) is done, as on all turntables in this range, by moving the belt onto the larger step of the motor pulley.

The plinth has been given particular care. It is made of MDF and covered with a matt white or anthracite finish. Beyond its attractive looks, this sandwich gives it perfect rigidity. Note that it is identical in every respect to that of the REGA Planar 2 turntable. As on that model, the switch is discreetly placed under the front left of the base.

It rests on new feet, ensuring better stability and reducing vibration transfer.

This REGA Planar 1 turntable is the first entry-level Rega turntable to benefit from the 24V synchronous motor. Added to this are a new power supply board, an aluminium pulley and a new dust cover with ventilation slots.

Rega Planar 1: testing and listening

After the "interplanetary" success of the REGA RP1, it wasn't easy for Rega to do better with the Planar One. But the technical and technological improvements in the service of music pay off.

After listening to various music extracts from very different backgrounds, we can state that this new Planar 1 does better on every parameter than its predecessor. The dynamics seem less concentrated in the midrange. The bass is much more detailed and precise. You'll also notice a finer, more intricate upper midrange. The whole benefits from far greater neutrality and transparency than the old version, and its sound stays "rock", dynamic and physical.

The limit is certainly the cartridge, but we offer the Rega Planar 1 with an Ortofon 2M Red cartridge for those wanting more performance.

This REGA Planar 1 turntable, like all Rega products, favours musicality and emotion. It's a simple-to-use, very well thought-out product. At an accessible price, it gives access to the Rega "sound".

Highly recommended.

AWARDS:
Diapason d'Or – 2016
What Hi-Fi – Best turntable 2016
Sound + Image – Product of the Year 2017
The Audiophile Man – Golden Groovy – 2017

FAQ: Everything you need to know before buying the Rega Planar 1 manual turntable

How does this Planar 1 really differ from the old RP1 it replaces?

Despite a similar appearance, there is no longer anything in common with the RP1 apart from the dust cover, the hinges and the cartridge: it gets an all-new RB110 tonearm with very low friction bearings, a new 23 mm phenolic resin platter and a new 24V synchronous motor, a first for an entry-level Rega. Find it in the manual turntables section.

Which cartridge comes fitted on this turntable as standard?

It comes as standard with the Rega Carbon MM cartridge; for those wanting more performance, we also offer this Planar 1 fitted with an Ortofon 2M Red cartridge. If you're starting out, see our your first turntable guide.

Is the anti-skating adjustment accessible on this turntable?

No, the anti-skating adjustment is no longer manually accessible: the RB110 arm receives a fixed centripetal force compensation system, factory-adjusted for the cartridges compatible with this arm.

How does this Planar 1 compare with the old RP1 in listening?

It does better on every parameter: more detailed and precise bass, a finer, more intricate upper midrange, and far greater neutrality and transparency, while keeping the dynamic, physical sound characteristic of Rega. It notably received the Diapason d'Or 2016.