Rega Planar 3 50th Anniversary Turntable | Gramophone

[@jouniseppanen3452]

Thanks! Great overview. I have the Rega P3 50th. It really is one hell of a tt. I also had the P6 and I like this more :D.

[@GramophoneMD]

We're glad you are digging your P 3 50th!

[@jimsregaturntableshifijukebox]

That surprised me, may I ask why? Then again my modified RP3 gives my modified RP6 a good go!

[@jouniseppanen3452]

I'm saying I just like it more, maybe bc of the walnut plinth and the looks in general, not saying it's better than the P6. But I'd def say it's not far behind soundwise either@@jimsregaturntableshifijukebox

[@jimsregaturntableshifijukebox]

@@jouniseppanen3452 Thank you very much for taking the time to reply, I really appreciate it. Jim 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🙂

[@npfcruz]

What phonostage you are using?

[@marzzz1]

I have one with the black plinth, purchased in 1982. Still works perfectly....

[@GramophoneMD]

Great to hear it Marzzz

[@jurgennager9418]

thanks for the excellent comparison to the standard P3, I wasn't fully aware of so much additional engineering efforts in the 50th anniversary turntable

[@GramophoneMD]

You are welcome Jurgen, pick up one of these if you can while they are still available

[@neilmorrison1292]

Last year I had to part with my beloved 40 yo Linn Sondek LP12 due to a hand tremor becoming incompatible with the Linn's delicate suspension. I traded it for a Rega P3 with an ATVM95ML cart and was pretty happy - but 3 months later I bought the Neo TTPSU and what a revelation!! All that you describe and a massively improved soundstage so I'm really happy. Different characteristics to the LP12, but still outstanding reproduction, clarity, PRAT and much better value.

[@GramophoneMD]

HI Neil, we're glad you love your Neo TTPSU, and that your soundstage got much better. It's amazing how much of an improvement a really good outboard power supply can bring to the sound

[@neilmorrison1292]

@@GramophoneMD Just FYI, I live in Scotland - the rest of my system is as old as my LP12 was. A NAIT 1 (red light) recently refurbed and singing like new with Linn KAN 1s. Not to everyone's taste, but it makes me happy!! One of the reasons I now love Rega is their integrity - they trickle down tech from their highest end TTs to the more affordable TTs. Linn, on the other hand, is a rich man's marque with - in my view - a more cynical marketing approach. Is a Klimax LP12 worth a 2.5 times price difference over a Naia? As we say here - I hae ma doots!!

[@mauriziolagaxio4954]

I have both Rega RP8 and Sondek LP12 top spec

[@johnlynch6248]

So well explained. Thank you.

[@GramophoneMD]

Thanks for your kind comment, John

[@beetleything1864]

I bought this and could not be happier - lovely !

[@GramophoneMD]

Great to hear it Beet. Rega has learned a few things over the years about an excellent 'table

[@adrianmortimer3369]

nice overview of a lovely product

[@GramophoneMD]

Thank you much for your kind comment Adrian

[@bobmclaughlin3851]

Spoke w/Rega US. I was told the lifetime warranty only applies in The UK. 3 years in the US as it always has been.

[@GramophoneMD]

Hi Bob, for most vendors, their warranty applies in the "home" country. Usually the importer / distributor in other countries is responsible for both handling warranty claims and creating the warranty period that they will honor. It's not always like this, but more often than not

[@isaachunt5799]

just bought our 20 year old son one for his birthday. he loves his music and i have a large record collection for him to loan.

[@GramophoneMD]

Thanks Isaac, he''ll enjoy that for sure - and he'll enjoy the record loaners too

[@gamerfinn3634]

Excellent run through

[@GramophoneMD]

Thanks for the kind words Gamerfinn, we're glad you enjoyed it

[@peterrear2864]

I have had one about 5 months,terrific turntable,it replaces a 30+ year old planar 2

[@GramophoneMD]

We're glad you are loving it Peter, and yes - a heck of a nice 'table

[@JumbleTasteSpinning]

Amazing turntable. So much class! I bet the sound is amazing too! Alltough i love my Technics 1210GR... this one is gorgeous!

[@GramophoneMD]

We're glad you like it, and yes, it sound wonderful

[@mauriziolagaxio4954]

Marvellous I love Rega

[@GramophoneMD]

Thank you Maurizio, we do too 🙂

[@dixonkim8659]

Great and very professional presentation! The P3 50th is a lovely TT BUT yikes! I can't believe Rega covered the plinth in vinyl. OMG! It's like being 4th down and 2 yards from a touch down and you decide to kick!

[@GramophoneMD]

Thank you much Dixonkim, the football analogy drew a chuckle! It actually looks very nice in person, really quite walnut - like

[@MrToonfish]

You have to see it in real life, it's not as cheap as it might look on picture/video.

[@mikeholliday8056]

Was deciding whether to purchase the Pro-ject Debut Carbon Pro S, but choose the Rega P3 50th Anniversary model.

[@GramophoneMD]

Good Mike, we're sure you will enjoy it

[@smallbatchsessions6892]

Looking for my first new age turntable. In the late 1970’s I had a technics deck. Don’t remember the model number but it was a decent one . Now I’m wanting that analog feel to my music again and buying me some albums. I’m a live music video producer and photographer. I’ve shot Album Cover s for bands and have a KZbin channel called Small Batch Sessions. We’ve been collecting old vintage glass for our video production and are studying the process to create filmic looks to our videos. So now I’m working with an artist who is making analog recordings of his music. I do feel a deeper connection to this music done analog like I grew up listening to through the 60s and 70s . It was warmer and felt deeper into me . If that’s explainable. Looking for a solid turntable to give me that same experience. For the money this seems to be the table I’m going to get . Peace y’all and thanks for this review. Extremely well done .

[@GramophoneMD]

Hello SmallBatch, we're glad you liked our video. Yes, there is a reason analog hasn't died out. Folks connect with their albums in a special way

[@bamblebamble]

Very informative - thank you.

[@GramophoneMD]

You are very welcome Bamble, thanks for watching

[@dgross2009]

Nice promo, I mean review. Just picked this up a couple of months ago at my not-so-local hifi store. Wonderful package for the price. I needed a cartridge for my 15-20 year old Music Hall but decided to replace the entire table. This was only slightly more than what I paid back then and I later picked up the power supply for extra. Now for my gripes. Is it so hard to include a ground cable? If you Google turntable hum Rega's will almost always come up. They think it's a good idea to have the ground go through the RCA out and maybe that works on some systems. Luckily it seems to dissipate as soon as the music starts. Also had to pick up a little level and figure out a way to level the turntable since the legs are not adjustable. And I don't understand why the stylus is not replaceable as with almost all MM cartridges. Positives: Love the glass platter and cover. Lots of weight and no static issues like I had with the Music Hall. The sound seems better than the Mojo (Ortofon) which was included with the Music Hall. Time will tell how it wears in after some break-in but I like the way it gives you lots of high end. My premium discs really shine with this set-up.

[@GramophoneMD]

Thanks DG, we're glad you are happy with the sound. If you have continued issues with hum, you are right that connecting a thin wire (almost any gauge works ) from the 'table to your amp will take care of it. Slightly loosen a screw on those 2 components and slide the thin wire in, then re-tighten; you're good to go.

[@dgross2009]

@GramophoneMD I do love the sound. I tried running a ground but couldn't find anywhere on the table to connect that made a difference. Also the needle attracts a lot of dust but I heard that is a problem with many good cartridges and just requires frequent cleaning.

[@RUfromthe40s]

after the 70´s only bought two turntables one Dual in early 80´s and a thorens in early 90´s kind of similar to the model sold by grundig finearts, i would like to buy a new one but for 20 years i looked for one but not like a 40.000€ turntable but with a regular price is this going to be it?

[@GramophoneMD]

Selling a 'table I've had for a while now. When I asked our rep about buying this one to replace it, he said "You'd be crazy not to!"

[@RUfromthe40s]

@@GramophoneMD i have to see it working ,a friend of mine has a audio/video hi-fi store for the last 40 years and there we test a lot of new components ,let´s see how this behaves, all said seems to be a good one, allthough some rega´s are not that good

[@GramophoneMD]

@@RUfromthe40s Right -t here is wisdom in visiting a dealer to see what you think in-person. Some folks are not lucky enough to be within a reasonable travel distance to a dealer. We're glad to have both 4 locations in which to show product, and to be able to sell many of our brands on-line

[@RUfromthe40s]

@@GramophoneMD i have a friend who owns a hi-fi store but technicians to repair components the more closest ones are at 400kms of distance,before i had two technicians that new how to built themselves a good amplifier and speakers repairing all at a perfect level but today they are old and not able to repair nothing , this friend when components that he sells have problems he ships them to the supplier using a transport company, that knows what it´s carrying ,being very frail and not bumps friendly

[@eladdaniels500]

Hey, how the ania pro will work with the p3 anniversary ? I'm considering to replace the exact to ania pro... Have the aria 3 phono stage. Any thoughts or recommendations?? Tnx a lot

[@GramophoneMD]

Hi Elad, Ania Pro is a very good MC cartridge, and should work well with this 'table and arm. You already have a good MC preamp. Take care of course with the set-up, as that is key with any cartridge / tonearm combo. Then PLAY IT LOUD!

[@eladdaniels500]

Tnx a lot ❤❤❤

[@jhsg]

Hi - is it normal for the belt to make a bit of a noise when starting up? (The noise goes away once at full speed)

[@GramophoneMD]

Thanks jhsg. We checked with Rega - yes, normal. They chose to use a lower power motor for start-up, decreasing energy transfer from that motor to the platter, thus reduced vibration and better sound. Also, costs stay low with a lower power motor, so they can put more money into other parts of the build. If you give a gentle clockwise push on the platter, it will gain speed faster.

[@jhsg]

Thanks so much for checking with Rega@@GramophoneMD

[@joseph-ow1hf]

I had a P3-24 for a short time before I decided to abandon vinyl. (heresy.....I know) I thought w/ a high output Denon MC cart (set up using a full TT tool kit) it was fantastic. Absolutely crushed my old Thorens TD-165 deck.

[@GramophoneMD]

Thanks Joseph, yes, there is quite a bit of improvement in turntables over the past several decades

[@joseph-ow1hf]

For anyone thinking of jumping into vinyl, one piece of gear that is essential, IMO is a vacuum record cleaner. The manually operated ones are not super expensive, especially found used. The old days, surface noise used to ruin the experience. I got a cleaner along w/ a carbon brush And even with buying mostly used albums, there would only be an occasional tick or pop. BTW: those sort of fuzzy thinks that to which apply a 'cleaning' solution simply do not work. @@GramophoneMD

[@joseph-ow1hf]

For vintage decks, I always liked the Linn LP12 but they sell for stupid amounts of money. The Sota Saphire was pretty nice as well. Again, I know it's heresy but I think once the engineers finally figured out the reason digital sounded so bad when it first launched was jitter and how to tame, it finally got good. I have a friend from an audio forum who's a quite wealthy but humble guy who spends his money on audio gear. Last time I visited him he had some vinyl rig where the deck itself....not inc arm or cart was like $10K. I actually preferred his digital sound setup. Forgot the name of transport, but was using the superb, though short lived Tranquity DAC from dbaudiolab. I'm running a Schitt Bifrost 2 mostly using a Macmini. (these make great music servers as they have very low noise USB output) or an Audiolab 6000 CDT. But yeah.....there's something very appealing about vinyl. The large size of the album jacket where you can see the artwork properly. Plus the hands on involvement. Plus TT's just look cool. My Macmini and DAC are small silver boxes. Not nearly as sexy.

[@yambo59]

Oh brother, now were talking "reference series drive belts" - ive heard all the snake oil now.

[@GramophoneMD]

Hi Yambo - your skepticism is understandable! Rega's engineers actually spent years working on a better grade of drive belt, longer-lasting and more vibration-absorptive, for their better 'tables, which they call Reference EBLT. You can read about it here in Product Details: www.rega.co.uk/products/planar-8

[@chazw1964]

I'm quite disappointed in mine as I thought the 24V motor would make this a more noiseless player compared to my trusty 90's Planar 2; in fact the Exact picks up motor hum quite badly towards the end of the record as the arm nears the spindle. Living in the UK it was sent back to Rega HQ and they say this is entirely normal! I've read elsewhere this is because the Exact's uncompromising design makes it sensitive to this issue, so perhaps a change in cartridge away from the Exact will be on the cards for me in 1000 hours time.

[@GramophoneMD]

Hello Chaz, we're sorry to hear that this did not work out well for you. We have sold quite a few of these, but haven't had that issue with noise. Perhaps you can try either moving the 'table to a different location, or possibly try one of several good isolation products that are on the market.

[@chazw1964]

Yes thanks for your reply, unfortunately I have tried my new turntable with 2 different amplification systems, one at home and one at the dealers, all with the same result. It seems I am being to critical, or I had unrealistic expectations!

[@GramophoneMD]

Thanks Chaz - have you tried swapping out for a different cartridge? It seems Rega has indicated that this is more of an issue with the Exact@@chazw1964

[@chazw1964]

@@GramophoneMD Hi, yes a swap in cartridge is definitely my next step. Now I know where the issue arises from I'm happy to live with it in the short term. Also I have come to realise the distance travelled between the silence at the end of the last track and the end of the run out groove and the corresponding increase in hum gives a false impression of the intensity of hum during actual playback.

[@johnlynch6248]

@@chazw1964 Try a MC cart. I always had hum from mm carts. All of them. MC silent as a church mouse.

[@MrToonfish]

$1695 Really ? I paid mine less than USD 1200 but ok I'm living in Europe so prices in the US are greater. For that price tag, I urge everyone to buy the 50th anniversary because it's superior to the normal P3, approaching the sound quality of the P6. A great value for the price.

[@GramophoneMD]

Hi Mr T, yes, relative to what a P 3 costs here in the USA this 'table is a really good value

[@ratpinscher]

I really wish this package was available without the fake wood finish.

[@GramophoneMD]

Thanks for your note. A frequent comment is that it looks better in person, as they did a good job with the fit n finish

[@ratpinscher]

I picked one up, just wish I could have chosen a different color. Wood tone matching fake wood is a challenge.

[@glenncurry3041]

I hope you include instructions in the box to not get your finger's oils all over the belt!

[@GramophoneMD]

Hi Glenn, yes, for visual clarity in making the video we did something we would not recommend that you do :-)

[@glenncurry3041]

@@GramophoneMD I am amazed at how many times I have seen fingers touching belts during box openings, setups, .... in turntable manufacturers' videos.

[@mrk8212]

I like it

[@GramophoneMD]

Thank you MRK

[@JohnDoe-np3zk]

I paid exactly2 2000 for a p6. Granted that was 10 percent off. 305 bucks more I think the p6 thumps the p3.

[@GramophoneMD]

Thank you JD, the P 6 is a really good product too

[@falkemikailsen6726]

I got me one.

[@GramophoneMD]

Good work! Let us know how you like it

[@falkemikailsen6726]

I love my Rega 50 Planar 3 Anniversary Edition Turntable with my Yamaha Natural Sound Stereo Amplifier Ca-810 from 1973 and my Quad 2912 Elektrostatisk Speakers that all together give me the concert sound through my records collection. ❤ Thank you to Rega for give the World that great sound of all time. ❤ It all proform the best hi-fi sound I ever had heard till today.

[@jvmata5523]

SO SORRY you hurt your foot and hope your feeling much better my dear! ❤❤🌹🌹❤❤

[@Dave-if5qj]

The p3 is good enough To make me not desire To upgrade

[@GramophoneMD]

Hi Dave, your P3 is a fine product!

[@bobby666666]

I have one reserved and should have it by the end of November. £900.00 is a bargain.

[@pinarellolimoncello]

Am intrigued by all the 666 in your user name, what is your take on it, obviously we know the the bible reference but I have heard different versions. Am not here to troll,I have a Rega 2 that has a few issues hence considering upgrading.

[@bobby666666]

@@pinarellolimoncello Nothing religious. It was just a number and easy to type the 6 six times.

[@pinarellolimoncello]

@@bobby666666 okey dokey, I guess it is just above the letter Y in bobby. thanks for your prompt and courteous reply, enjoy your rega tt, sounds like a great turn table.

[@uselessoldman7964]

It wasn't released until 1977 and even then only available in a few select specialist stores brought out as a competitor tp the Seek Revolver Rebel, which was and still is a Superior deck. The R3 is a great deck but £900?? seriously what a joke

[@rixvspinner]

I would rather buy a used Rega Planar 3 from the early 1980's for a fraction of that $1600

[@GramophoneMD]

Thank you Rix, the used market can be a good way to go

[@anotherbrickinthewall1700]

the BRACE is a marketing ploy.

[@GramophoneMD]

Thank you Another, the brace is one of their most long-standing technologies, and our thought is that Rega will probably continue with it

[@fnd111]

They still have that cheap plastic subplatter with that short spindle. Makes it hard to use a record weight or clamp. I have the Rega 25th anniversary TT. Same thing. 25 years Rega has not learned anything.

[@GramophoneMD]

Thank you for your comments. We reached out to Rega and received a very detailed reply, summarized here: "The primary goal of the sub-platter is to support the higher mass platter that sits on top of it. An equally important goal is to not transmit the airborne vibrations that fill your room, due to the movement of the speaker drivers, up to the record cartridge contact point. A turntable is a vibration measuring machine, and soundwaves created by your loudspeaker transmit that energy (sound) into the room. That rooms kinetic energy can cause the cartridge stylus to move in ways that aren’t record groove related, an additive distortion. When you take your platter off the sub-platter you see a series of raised contact points the platter rests on. These help prevent unwanted energy from entering the platter. So, our sub-platters are optimized to prevent upwards energy transmission and further isolate the very delicate physical to electrical interface point. The material is a a specific polymer (plastic) formulation that has exceptional rigidity and low mass - the best combination of physical attributes to cost ratio we have found. Our Planar 6 sub-platter is more rigid being machined aluminum, again with raised contact points for vibrational isolation, but is much more costly to manufacture, so it is offered in our more expensive model. The spindle is designed to hold the record and prevent any movement as it spins. Our decades of research and listening have confirmed our engineering position to prevent the storage of external vibratory energy in the turntable that will infiltrate into the record/cartridge contact point. Traditionally, record clamps are designed to be heavy. The popular idea is this added mass with dampen vibration and secure the record more firmly to the platter. Our research has confirmed the opposite - heavy clamps store energy and muddle the sound by adding stored vibrational energy very close to the record/cartridge contact point. Well, what about the idea of a clamp better securing a record to the platter? Our choice of wool as a record matt material fixes this issue as the structure of wool has thousands of tiny hairs that grab and hold the records grooves preventing slippage and absorbing vibration. We've tried hundreds of materials and have conclude wool is the best choice for us".

[@fnd111]

I disagree. The clamp I am using improves the sound of the TT (J.A. Michell) by a significant margin. It should be up to the owner to decide what he prefers. My experiance with Rega as an owner and working in a dealership has been they know better than the customer. Again, I disagree. Why are there so many upgades available for the Rega TT? These upgrades address exactly the issues I have descibed. @@GramophoneMD My Rega 25 with the Exact catridge had a reatail price of $2,600 25 years ago. Considering it defeciances, hardly a ''good value.'' I would be happy to have a discussion with Rega about the deficiencies of their turntables. There has been an obsequious devotion to Rega for many years. It is high time someone gives an alternative viewpoint. I think qualfy to do so. FND

[@cbaboxsqueeze]

One of the reasons Rega decks have sold consistently well for 50 years is simplicity and the focus on component quality in the places where it matters. That there is a massive aftermarket for supposed 'upgraded' parts is due to a desire to make money out of a massively sold product. The evidence is that many dont work as well e.g. metal sub platters and bearings that wear out in a few months, drive belts that cost several times the standard item and deliver zilch. That said i have upgraded my 1981 RP2 with later tone arm, 24v motor and psu and Rega phono amp and Audio Technica cartridge but the core bearing, sub-platter and woodwork function just as well as they ever did.

[@tima.478]

$1,695.00 is $2k Joe, but thanks anyway...

[@GramophoneMD]

:-) Rega makes quite a few more affordable 'tables. Check out the Rega Planar 2 at less than half this money, cartridge included. We've got a nice video on it too skybygramophone.com/collections/rega/products/rega-planar-2-turntable

[@tima.478]

I have the 50th P3 with a Hana Umami Red cartridge, thanks. @@GramophoneMD

[@mrbookends]

Bleh, that faux-walnut is a deal breaker. Everything else being equal, I wouldn't trade gloss red for whatever they did here. It's like a Lexus with the tacky fake wood interior option 🤢

[@GramophoneMD]

Hi Mr, it actually looks pretty cool in-person. Perhaps you can stop by a dealer and see for yourself

[@melciveng]

The musicians sound more in time with each other? There really is a lot of BS in the hifi community

[@GramophoneMD]

Hello Mel, we could have said that better! Most high-end turntables have considerably bet†er speed accuracy than entry-level models. There is a synchronous effect musically in that albums sound "tighter" as a result. Planar 3 50th has very good speed accuracy for the price point. Thank you for your comment