Product Comparison: Rega Planar-1 vs Rega RP1

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Rega Planar-1 Black

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Rega RP1 Turntable (Gray)

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General Specifications

Brand

Rega

Model

Planar 1

RP1

Origin

England

About the Product

The new Planar 1 is the most user friendly Rega turntable to date. Now with preset bias force on the brand new RB110 tonearm, the Planar 1 is set up in seconds after unpacking. Simply slide the balance weight onto the rear of the tonearm as far as it will go, remove the stylus guard and start spinning your favourite vinyl.

Rega's new RP1 turntable was designed and engineered to achieve outstanding performance way beyond the expectations of a product at this price point. Excellent build quality, reliability and ease of use combine to make a product, which will offer a lifetime of musical enjoyment. Omitting all the usual gimmicks allowed Rega to concentrate the manufacturing costs on the high quality parts necessary to reproduce records accurately.

Key Specs

Drive Type

Belt drive

Operation Type

Semi-Automatic

What customers say about "Key Specs"

Rega Planar-1 Black

As is typical on budget audiophile decks controls are super-rudimentary.
Smooth operation and easy to set up.
There's not much adjustment here, actually - no skate or weight adjustment controls - which is user-friendly but you can't easily elect to give a little extra weight at time to help those skippy records.
For Hifi buffs this is probably too low end and for those new to vinyl too lacking in features and complicated in operation.
This TT is not automatic so you have to position the tone arm manually at the start and pick it up when it's done.

Rega RP1 Turntable (Gray)

The speed change from 33 to 45 is accomplished by lifting off the platter and moving the drive belt to a larger cylinder on the motor spindle.
Given the amount of records I play, she will probably be my next xx-year turntable, may upgrade the belt but saw no difference in the glass turntable-platter.
I do not want to purchase any 'upgrades' unless they are Rega products like the white belt.
Everything from the platter to the drive belt to the motor can be upgraded to higher quality components if you so choose. But I digress.
I can see where if operated with the dustcover down (and its hinges are not designed for the long term), that there might be some resonance.

Size & Weight

Height

4.6 in.

4.5 in.

Width

17.6 in.

17.5 in.

Depth

14.2 in.

15 in.

Weight

9.3 lbs.

9.2 lbs.

What customers say about "Size & Weight"

Rega Planar-1 Black

The only set-up necessary was to remove the packing from under the platter and fit the balance weight onto the tonearm.
Once out add the balance weight, remove the cardboard packing from the sub platter and put the felt mat on (don't like this seems too flimsy).

Rega RP1 Turntable (Gray)

Tone arm comes with weight that is preset for the stock cartridge.
Just remove the packaging, slide the weight on and play.

Audio

Stylys/Cartridge

Rega Carbon cartridge

Integrated Preamp

What customers say about "Audio"

Rega Planar-1 Black

Still, it does a great job on factory fresh premium vinyl, my old records, and some bought from charity shops and record fairs.
The record player looks amazing too.
The music felt totally stable, no obvious speed issues you hear on poor quality turntables but the balance of the sound, the separation and detail is fantastic.
This turntable provides levels of audio depth, clarity and subtlety which are simply amazing.
Now finding myself buying new vinyl instead of CD's as the audio sounds so much more dynamic.

Rega RP1 Turntable (Gray)

Cartridge is okay for the average person, you can go crazy with cartridges as many options available, all depends on what type of audio enthusiast you are.
Rega Carbon beats higher priced cartridges and is a definite upgrade to Ortofon low cost models such as OM 5e
I got the standard unit that comes with the Rega Carbon cartridge, and I think it sounds fantastic.
Nice, damped cueing device, and the Rega Carbon phono cartridge mine came with is very nice...I am told it is better than the upgrade.
The dust cover it comes with is built with quality.

Features

Control

On/Off switch

Functions

Vinyl player

Platter Material

Phenolic

Dust Cover Included

Yes

Speaker(s) Included

Interfaces

Stereo RCA audio out

Extras

Re-designed brass main bearing, Re-Designed feet, Balance Weight

High quailty, low vibration motor, Phenolic resin flywheel effect platter improves speed stability

Dust Cover Included
Speaker(s) Included

What customers say about "Features"

Rega Planar-1 Black

Setup was easy (I paired this up to a pre-ject audio preamp and connected with my receiver.
It’s a long time since I’ve played vinyl though with this turntable I’ll be playing and buying more. Easy as can be to set up, minutes and you’re away. Really happy with this purchase, well worth the money.
The plinth is gloss black, as is the fairly thick phenolic platter.
Comes with phono cable and everything needed ready to go. It does have a plastic cover which isn't clear in the photograph.
Sounds great (when eventually set up), instructions are only a few paragraphs, the turntable comes with two (a red and white) budget style RCA lead no other way of outputting or inputting, so no bluetooth etc.

Rega RP1 Turntable (Gray)

It had everything I ever wanted in an audio product: excellent timbral accuracy, low level detail, and great holographic imaging.
Great entry point into enjoying higher quality vinyl.
Friends have told me that getting into vinyl can be a slippery slope, but if this is the payoff then so far I'd say it is well worth it.
The base/plinth is particle board covered with laminate, not bad though.
The dust cover hinges are very cheap and I can see them wearing out in the near future.

Warranty / Certifications

Certifications