Being new to the world of high-end audio in general, and turntables in specific, I was hesitant to rush into getting a turntable. But after I got my new stereo system after graduation (Harman/Kardon AVR25MkII receiver, Marantz CC65se CD player, Infinity Kappa 8.1 Series II speakers, and a Dynaco ST400II to drive them with), I had a little money left over and figured I'd enter the mysterious world of analog sound. After doing a little research, I realized that there were only a few tables in my price range (about 500) that seemed like they would deliver higher-end sound. I had settled on the Rega Planar 2, but then saw a demo Planar 3 at my local hi-fi dealer for $460. So I bought a Grado Prestige Red MM cartridge to go with it, and away I went! If you want bells and whistles, this table isn't for you: its a stripped down, unsuspended, lean, mean, music-playing machine. My first record was Fleetwood Mac's Rumors (I listen to classic rock, electronic music, hip-hop, jazz, etc.) and frankly, I've never heard it so good. The sound was full, warm, and. . .well. .. just plain different from cd sound. You know how in very high-end setups the speakers just disappear and the music plays and sounds live? Well, hearing Stevie Nicks from the Planar 3 made it seem like she was there. No bull. The action on the RB-300 tonearm was smooth and easy to adjust. The platter is heavy glass, and the motor, though taking a few seconds to get up to speed, is a-ok. The level of detail is great on a table in this price range. In fact, I'm willing to bet that there isnt any other table within 300 dollars of it (it retails for 6-something) that will give you sound as good as the Rega. One problem: if you have a lot of 45s, get used to tinkering: you need to switch the drive belt in order to change speeds. I don't have any 45s, though, so I guess I couldn't be happier. The mid-priced turntable market is pretty lean, but the Rega Planar 3 is definitely a superstar at most any price!

Being new to the world of high-end audio in general, and turntables in specific, I was hesitant to rush into getting a turntable. But after I got my new stereo system after graduation (Harman/Kardon AVR25MkII receiver, Marantz CC65se CD player, Infinity Kappa 8.1 Series II speakers, and a Dynaco ST400II to drive them with), I had a little money left over and figured I'd enter the mysterious world of analog sound. After doing a little research, I realized that there were only a few tables in my price range (about 500) that seemed like they would deliver higher-end sound. I had settled on the Rega Planar 2, but then saw a demo Planar 3 at my local hi-fi dealer for $460. So I bought a Grado Prestige Red MM cartridge to go with it, and away I went! If you want bells and whistles, this table isn't for you: its a stripped down, unsuspended, lean, mean, music-playing machine. My first record was Fleetwood Mac's Rumors (I listen to classic rock, electronic music, hip-hop, jazz, etc.) and frankly, I've never heard it so good. The sound was full, warm, and. . .well. .. just plain different from cd sound. You know how in very high-end setups the speakers just disappear and the music plays and sounds live? Well, hearing Stevie Nicks from the Planar 3 made it seem like she was there. No bull. The action on the RB-300 tonearm was smooth and easy to adjust. The platter is heavy glass, and the motor, though taking a few seconds to get up to speed, is a-ok. The level of detail is great on a table in this price range. In fact, I'm willing to bet that there isnt any other table within 300 dollars of it (it retails for 6-something) that will give you sound as good as the Rega. One problem: if you have a lot of 45s, get used to tinkering: you need to switch the drive belt in order to change speeds. I don't have any 45s, though, so I guess I couldn't be happier. The mid-priced turntable market is pretty lean, but the Rega Planar 3 is definitely a superstar at most any price!

I have my lovin' Rega about a year and i'm sure-it's the
best choice in budget level price.I have use vynil records
since 78 and now i have 330 very good original records in
my collection some of which cost very serious money.But
why spend 2-3 thousands USD for Michelle,if 1)you can buy
a lot of records 2)Gyrodec (for example)uses the same
RB-300 tonearm without any modifications ?Say better.Most
expensive turntables users even use their units WITH
STANDARD OUTPUT CABLES ,thin and cheap, and say "oh,i have
serious thing, i use top level head-it's cool!" ( for 2-3
of audiofile records!!)The only way to be happy -buy Rega
Planar 3,replace output cables to any good (Oxygen Free
copper is very right choice,especially professional guitar
cables,as Gepco LN-888 or any similar-don't forget,all of
guitar cables were created especially for LOW LEVEL SIGNALS)
replace rubber legs to good cones and disks ( Goldring ,
for example),buy any really good but not very expensive
head (Shure V-15mr,Ortophon or Goldring (etc,etc..)with
NEW stylus and use any right Phono pre-amp ( 1)external,
2)made not on OP AMPs, but on transistors or tubes).
Last touch to get the heaven is to setup your turntable,
head and MOST IMPORTANT -INPUT IMPEDANCE of your Phono
pre-amp especially for your head right-and here we are!
All the people, whos speaking about wow'n'flutter of Rega,
can get and better rotate speed distortions on more
expensive turntables,IF THE BELT IS DUSTY .That's all.
My last words about Planar3 will be -it's the only unit
which gives maximum fast,dynamic and light sound that i
ever heard.Gyrodec,for example,seems ar harvester ( it's
really )against Ferrari and for sound, and for lookin'.
Have fun ,save your money for MUSIC,not iron !...if you
really like music.

Similar Products Used:

Thorens 280mkIV,Dual 604

"Plug and Play" Level it, isolate it, enjoy the music!
Soundstage wide, deep, real sounding.

Looks like a "Slab of wood" with 4 rubber feet, a platter, and a tonearm attached. It's plain looking. Some slight speed irregularity but doesn't detract from listening enjoyment

I had heard the buzz about this table for a while now at this site, Stereophile articles, Audio Asylum etc., and bought a Planar 3 with a Rega Elys cartridge on the used market for about $470.00. It really isn't much to look at, but I could care less. I sold my Nad 533/Goldring table and bought the Planar 3/Elys set up and it was one of the soundest,(no pun intended), investments in audio equipment I have ever made. I unpacked the table,placed it on top of my rack, plugged everything in, removed the dustcover, placed the acrylic platter on the spindle, laid the felt mat on the platter, set the tracking force to 2 grams, and put Brian Auger's Oblivion Express on the table. I was totally blown away!. A broad panaramic soundstage with real sounding organ, guitar, drums pinpoint located across, in front of, and in back of the speakers. Vocals were equally real sounding and centered between the speakers. Things only got better as all the equipment warmed up. Yes, I can hear improvements in warming up and breaking in of equipment. I have a pretty decent digital set-up,(CAL Delta transport and Adcom GDA-700 DAC), but I have little desire to listen to it at this point. Shortly after buying this table, I found a deal on a Goldring gx1022 cartridge and replaced the Elys. More improvement in soundstaging,harmonic timbre, and top octave detail. The Elys may have had a little better bass, but a slightly rolled off top end. I enjoy the sound of the Goldring a little more.
The Planar 3 sounds great right out of the box, but I couldn't resist trying a few small "tweaks" to see if I could improve things even more. The following worked for me, your mileage may vary.
Sumiko I-clamp record clamp about $60.00. Smooths highs out a little.
2 cheapo ac line conditioners/surge suppressors. Model by WOODS, sold by Walmart for $15.00 each. Plugged the tables ac linecord into one which gave a quieter or "blacker" backround from which the music emerges. "Piggybacked" one into the other then plugged the table into the 2nd for even more of the same improvement.
Planar 3 recommended for analog lovers looking to enjoy thier record collection immensely, but not willing or able to spend thousand or more to get there.
Associated Equipment:
CJ PV10 preamp
Quicksilver Audio Silver Mono tube amps
Magnepan mg1.6 speakers
CAL Delta Transport
Adcom GDA-700 DAC

Similar Products Used:

Nad 533, Dennon

sound quality & value

Nothing really for the price range. But would like to have had better connecting cables or be able to upgrade them.

My Pioneer TT Ihave had since the late 70's. It broke once & I bought a Techniques linear tracking TT. The sound was not as god & Iused the same cartridge. I took the Techniques back had the Pioneer fixed. I upgraded my system & I was at a point where I was going to unload all my vinyl or see if I could enjoy it. I bought a Creek TT preamp The TT still didn't sound theway I wanted. I have a $2,500. Krell CD player. I never expected vinyl to sound that well but I wanted to enjoy the sound. I brought home a Rega P3 & I was blown away. If I had known vinyl could sound this good I wouldn't have been so quick to jump on the CD bandwagon. I can't say it sounds better than my CD player, it sounds different. I can say I enjoy it as much & after all these years I'm not afraid to buy vinyl again. I do feel the analog bass response is better than CD. I have the RB300 tonearm & elyus cartridge. It is amazing how much less noise I hear with the Rega. I highly recommend the P3. The performance is far beyond those mass market TT. There is a definite problem somewhere if someone thinks their Rega don't outperform a Techniques or similar TT. That type of TT don't even compare to a Rega. Mine is connected to the Creek TT preamp & then to my Krell Integrated. I'm not sure what type of grounding systm Rega uses, but I haven't had any noise problems in my system. The P3 is sturdy also. I can open & close the doors on my entertainment center without it skipping a beat. Couldn't do it before with my old table. I have been converted back to a fan of analog again, thanks to Rega.

Similar Products Used:

pioneer, techniques

Nice arm, simplicity of use, Good Sound, thick glass platter

Downright ugly. Wiring could be improved a bit.

I am new to the audio hobby, and this is my first turntable. I started out looking at the 1200mkII, but quickly found that it was not the table for me. So, I looked at tables from NAD (repackaged stripped planar 2) Dual, thorens, saw a second hand LP12, and many others. The biggest thing that struck me about the P3 was the sound quality. Some others sounded really good too, but were much more expensive and involving to setup. I have the latest version with the upgraded motor and beveled plinth. This is a first class product and it is very reasonable, and so I would have to recommend it to anyone who is in the market. Vinyl is an incredible experience, one that I have missed out mostly because of the proliferation of the CD, and this table conveys the depth of infinate information stored on an LP very well. Go Vinyl. Find the table that meets your needs. Get ready for the sonic experience of your life!

Similar Products Used:

demoed many others

Great sound, never really matched it with CD players sub £1000.

Needs good isolation, captive interconnect can't be upgraded.

The Planar 3 / RB300 was my first decent TT and I can't see a reason why I'd ever change it. I auditioned it against some very expensive kit and it held its ground very well and has continued to do so for many years.

I tried a few MM carts and settled on the AT-110E which was cheap but works well with Arcam / Acoustic Energy. I've never had any of the pitch stabilisity problems suffered by so many in this column - I suspect early spindle / bearing damage is to blame in these cases.

..... get the '3' on a decent isolated table, and sit back and enjoy, this is one civilised deck.

Hint to prolong motor life: start the glass platter slow by hand and then switch on - the motor does hardly any work and will last for ever (!).

Similar Products Used:

None

Great detail, good looks.

None

Ok People,
I've read all of the reviews, and I have noticed some saying they experienced Wow (flutter is not possible with this table- the mass of the platter voids this possibility).
Get a grip people! Lubricate the center Spindle! You either: have a damaged bearing (0r) the belt/pully/table wheel is dirty (or) MOST LIKELY... THE BEARING/ CENTER SHAFT WHICH SUPPORTS THE PLATTER NEEDS TO BE LUBED! I use oil designed to lube the old Points type Distributors in older cars. It holds up, clings to the shaft, and does not cause slowing of the rotation.
That's all I have to say about that! OIL THE SHAFT! I can almost guarantee your wow problems will Vanish!
Oh, GREAT TABLE! :-)
ME.

Similar Products Used:

Acoustic Research, NAD

Great detail, good looks.

None

Ok People,
I've read all of the reviews, and I have noticed some saying they experienced Wow (flutter is not possible with this table- the mass of the platter voids this possibility).
Get a grip people! Lubricate the center Spindle! You either: have a damaged bearing (0r) the belt/pully/table wheel is dirty (or) MOST LIKELY... THE BEARING/ CENTER SHAFT WHICH SUPPORTS THE PLATTER NEEDS TO BE LUBED! I use oil designed to lube the old Points type Distributors in older cars. It holds up, clings to the shaft, and does not cause slowing of the rotation.
That's all I have to say about that! OIL THE SHAFT! I can almost guarantee your wow problems will Vanish!
Oh, GREAT TABLE! :-)
ME.

Similar Products Used:

Acoustic Research, NAD

Great detail, good looks.

None

Ok People,
I've read all of the reviews, and I have noticed some saying they experienced Wow (flutter is not possible with this table- the mass of the platter voids this possibility).
Get a grip people! Lubricate the center Spindle! You either: have a damaged bearing (0r) the belt/pully/table wheel is dirty (or) MOST LIKELY... THE BEARING/ CENTER SHAFT WHICH SUPPORTS THE PLATTER NEEDS TO BE LUBED! I use oil designed to lube the old Points type Distributors in older cars. It holds up, clings to the shaft, and does not cause slowing of the rotation.
That's all I have to say about that! OIL THE SHAFT! I can almost guarantee your wow problems will Vanish!
Oh, GREAT TABLE! :-)
ME.

Similar Products Used:

Acoustic Research, NAD