Your music is ALIVE!

Equipment dependent (but what isn''t?)

After 7 years with the Marantz CD63SE, I decided that it was time for a change. On the strength of all the positive Rega Planet 2000 reviews, I went to give it a serious listen. While the significantly better detail was instantly noticeable, the liveliness of the music was what sold me. I would love to say that I took the player home and everything was bliss, but I can''t. Unfortunately the rhythm and pace of the Rega didn''t jive well with my Kimber Silver Streaks. The sound was too bright and somewhat "fast" in certain passages. I was lucky as it only took one interconnect change to get it right. A 1m pair of Cardas Cross Interconnects did the trick, and the result is nothing less than awesome. From the toe tappin cuts on Dylan''s "Love and Theft" to the bass and piano on Diana Krall''s best, the Rega does it all. My system includes: Rega Planet CD 2000 Creek 5350SE Int. Amp Cardas Cross Interconnect Kimber 4TC speaker wire Dynaco A-50 Speakers (old, but Great)

Similar Products Used:

Marantz DC63SE

Great overall dynamics and detail

Light Jazz listeners might be a little disappointed

This is the best cd player on the market bar none in the <1K category. It sounds world's better than the first Planet unit. Plus the improvements over the first generation makes this a no- brainer to own. The Rega has stunning looks (toploader) and great sonics. It replaced my Classe .3 cd player and blew the doors off it in an A/B test. The poor guy should have spent another $50 dollars and gone with the Rega in lieu of my Classe. But his loss and my tremendous gain. The overall build quality of unit and remote are average (Classe was built like a tank). But it's all about the music and especially the sound.

Similar Products Used:

Krell, Classe, Dynaco, Denon, Ultech, Rega Planet

looks,sound,system integration

Too early to tell, however i won't be blinded by love, the front panel looks cool is disappointingly plastic, trickier to load than old planet,only 2 finger spaces

Brought it home and ran for 100 hours on repeat. Hooked up to a rega mira amp via vivanco interconnect with neotech connectors. Sounded a lot roomier than old planet did, ok separation ,nice depth. 250 hours now, completely different sound , separation of instruments and depth of image very impressive, this deck is a different animal to the original, i like it much better.

Similar Products Used:

cyrus, original planet,

Musicality

None

Listening to all of the above, the Rega was the only one that played music done by real people, impressive some of the others may be. Only Marantz played after the REGA diappointed really, violins sounding like synthesizer violins!
Rega is also the only one I have ever encountered that does not give you that hurried, brathtaking feeling most cd's do compared to lp's.

Similar Products Used:

Musical Fidelity A3, Arcam CD72, CD92, Marantz 6000 OSE,

Slight improvement over first generation Planet

Construction is not worthy of price. Surprising amount of plastic makes player look cheap. Better players available for less money

The Planet is a nice player but is not an especially strong value for your dollar in my opinion. The Arcam sounded better with the ability to resolve detail much better than both the NAD and Planet. The Planet was strong musically but lacked detail, excitement, and sounded too reticent or laid back for my tastes. The A3 and FMJ seem to be able to portray music more realistically with better transients, dynamics, and a much wider, realistic soundstage that is both wider and deeper. The Planet is okay but not outstanding, more hype than anything I'd say. I had such high expectations for this player but am left disappointed having lived with the player for many months. In retrospect I'd rather have spent less for the CD72 (just as good if not better than the Planet) or spent more for the FMJ. Nonetheless, a good product 3.5 stars, but round up to 4.

Similar Products Used:

Arcam CD72, NAD C541, Arcam FMJ, Rotel 991, Musical Fidelity A3

Neutral sound; killer imaging, soundstage, and dynamics

It isn't built like a tank.

Compared to the other CD players I've used, this is undoubtedly the best. It presents the music as it's supposed to be heard, no MSG!
I think the great sound is largely contributed by the Rega home made 24-bit DAC. They can make a truck load if they sell the chip to other manufacturers.
It's a great deal if you buy it new, a no-brainer if you can get a decently used one.

Associated Equipment:
Source: Rega Planet 2000
Preamp: Threshold T3
Amp: Threshold T200
Speakers: B&W Matrix 802 S3

Similar Products Used:

Denon DCD-3000, Ah! Tjoeb 99, JVC XL-V251

Excellent timing, good separation between different instruments. Smooth

Lacks a little in the dynamics and bass department. Much lighter build quality compared to original

The new planet is a major improvement over the original it is much more open and detailed. The timbres of instruments are easier to identify. The new player handles complex music much more confidently, allowing identification of individual instruments to be achieved with ease. But with all this improvement the planet still remains very musical.

Build quality has taken a backward step, the new player is very light and the controls are a little imprecise. My original lasted 4 years without any problems, the longevity of the new model remains to be proven.

I must admit I was surprised a how much better the new planet is, it surpasses the original in all departments and therefore is a must audition for all lovers of the original. It is also exceptional value for money on pure sound quality terms.

Used with a Rega elicit amplifier, and Heybrook helios speakers. With kimber power Kords, Select 1020 interconnect and 8 TC speaker cable.

Similar Products Used:

Original planet, Arcam cd92, Cyrus, Jupiter 2000

Musicality, Bass, Listenability, Depth, and Visual Design

Build Quality ultimately be "beefier"

I'd like to comment briefly on this great CD player and what it has done to my system.

The depth and musicality (timbre, timing) this brought to my system was very dramatic - suprising to say the least. My stereo now flows with music with palpbility and grace. (I listen mainly to jazz)

Interestingly enough, although I upgraded from the cheaper Marantz 67SE, I would say that the Planet 2000 has made my gear sounds less Hi-Fi. The Marantz had LOADS of detail (loads of tizz as well, not much bass). My system sounded great and very analytical.

The Planet 2000 won't scream detail at you, but it is there when required.. wanted. It simply presents music as is and makes no excuses. Highly Recommended for value and pure merit!

Associated Equipment:
2 Roksan Caspians
Bi-Amping NHT 2.5i
Transparent Interconnects and Kimber Kable

Similar Products Used:

Rotel 971, Marantz 67SE

Very natural sound, great dynamics

Top lid for CD access is too fiddly, and also has a spinning disc on exterior when playing, which is not good when you have a cat!

Using the listening room at my local hifi store, I did a comparism test against the Arcam CD72. Must point out that I was also using the Rega Brio, but I think it's fair to say that this is a very well behaved amp, that would partner most CD players without colouring the sound. My first impression was that the CD72 had better soundstaging, and a more impressive interpretation of the music. It sounded much brighter than the planet, and this was a sound I was most familiar with, having been using a Kenwood for a couple of years. However, after about 40 minutes of listening, and keep changing CD's, I began to realise (or my ears did) that the planet had more depth and realism. Voices and instruments no longer sound shallow, the planet allows me to hear the full range of frequencies that are there. To say 'rounded' would be wrong, as this might imply soft or bland, but the planet does have a fantastic ability to produce a sophisticated '3D' sound, if this term can be used in this way.

Similar Products Used:

Arcam CD72

Warm and wonderful tube type sound. Excellent dynamic presentation. Beautiful looks. Build quality and oh that sound!

Only that I wasted time buying other CD players first! And I bought mine in black before I saw the silver version. Anyone have a silver Planet 2000 they want to trade for black?

In listening to the Planet 2000 you almost have to wonder how this player can sound so good and yet be so unknown. Auditioning this transport against the Linn Sondek CD12, and Mark Levinson 31.5, and the new Wadia 270/27ix reveals that this baby is an incredibel value in every sense of the word. This Rega not not only looks impressive but also perfoms at a level that still can not be beat with todays technologies. I only wish I had waited to get the new silver alloy finish. God it is beautiful! But black is OK.
The only draw back is that you need a DAC that can perform to the standards that the Wadia 7 is capable of producing. With good speakers the sound is astonishing. Comparing to the new Wadia referance 270/27ix. The Rega is close in musicality, and maybe better inlow end impact, and emotions of the recording. The only area the 270/27ix may do a little better job than any other CD combo (including the Rega, Linn CD12, ML31.5/30.5, Wadia 7/9) is in the extreme precision in imaging and focus. But I found this to also have some draw backs such as sound can be little bit drier than the Wadia 7/9 and Linn Sondek CD12.

The rega Planet 2000 will make any system sound better in a way that will elevate your entire system to the next quantum leap. I do have to say that the Wadia 7/9 still remains the best CD play back that I have heard to date. But for $$$$$$$$ less the Rega Planet 2000 is impossible to beat. Buy one. And if you do talk to Jody at Brooklyn Audio. Honest guy that does what he says.

Similar Products Used:

Acurus ACD-11, Linn Mimick, Musical Fidelity 3, Naim 3.5, Arcam, etc.