Smooth and balanced sound.Probably sounds flat with SS
junk that passes for an amplifier now.

At this price It doesn't really have any.

Well,this particular player has been done to death here
at AudioReview ,both pro and con,and there isn't a lot
new I can add here.One thing happened since I picked this
unit up yesterday so seemingly different from other
reviewer's experience that I decided to write in.
I really have been satisfied with my
ElitePD65 player for several years now(a player with an
enthusiastic following of its own in the same price
range as the Rega)Unfortunately a violent thunderstorm
tore it a new one last month and rather than order a
new Elite (still available)my audio dealer sold me on
the Rega and gave me discount also.
I put the Rega in the system when I
arrived home last night and listened for awhile. I did't
really try to evaluate as much as make sure of mechanics
and proper operation and so forth.This evening I pulled
out some familiar CDs and started listening.Very pleasing
and natural sounding I thought and pulled up AudioReview
on the screen while listening to see if anyone had reviewed
it(yeah,right)and one detail I see over and over is" long,
long break-in period.The really strange thing is right
after I read all this and I'm sitting here thinking how
I suppose I'll leave the Rega on repeat for a couple of
days and listen some more all of sudden the cd snaps
right into FOCUS just like a switch.I just took it out
of the box new yesterday and it probably has about 3 hours
on it.This is so contrary to all other reviews I felt almost
compelled to write in.By the way ,the player sounds great
with my gear and I'm really enjoying it!4 STARS

Similar Products Used:

Conrad Johnson,Elite

Simple and elegant

Remote can't be clone

This review is in dispute of Paul Birkland review. I have use and abuse this unit for over 1.5 year and it never, I repeat never skipped a beat. I have use other drawer type CD player and they typically have problem after a year or so. I have upgraded my pre-amp, amps, cables and speakers. Throughout all the upgrade the only constant is the Planet. The design is sheer elegant and since it is a manual design, I do not foresee any problems with this player. As for muddy and clarity, I admit, I have not heard the Arcam but I know that the Planet in my system is not muddy in any aspect. Those of you who are in search of a good CD player should read these reviews with a grain of salt, especially reviews in which ones who have only demo the product.

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer, Sony

The previous reviewer, Mr. Bratton remarks that no "all in one CD player" can fix the inherently flawed (in his opinion) digital recordings major labels produce. Indeed, no digital chain, no matter how expensive can "fix" bad records. Actually, the better your digital source, the more details (and in the case of bad recordings, read: flaws) it should reveal.
I'm not trying to start an argument. I just wanted to remark that, although I did like, and in fact purchased a Rega Planet, I didn't find it to be an overly detailed player... certainly not harsh.

Without jumping into the Lp vs. CD debate on an idealogical level, I'll enter on the practical level and use the Planet as an example. For 750.00 dollars, you get a digital source that you need make no excuses for. It's a solid performer that will give old CD's new life. You plug it into your preamp, make sure it's set on a reasonably stable foundation, and feed it CD's. This scenario will give the average audio lover a better musical experience than at least 90% of the analog gear on the market. Lp's sound great (if you can live with the scratches, pops, etc. inherent to the format) on GREAT playback gear. They sound terrible on even mid-priced or entry level analog gear. A CD will sound good even on a decent mass-market box...and great on a CD player for asround 1k.

With dedication, money and inconvienence, one can get *incrementally* better sound from Lp's. I'm not sure I would call it "better" though, I think I'd say "different". You are trading flaws for flaws... LP's have untidy bass, for one, but better dynamics. In the "twilight" of 16bit CD's, though, I'm really surprised this debate continues. I see Lp's as sort of artifact... It just strikes me as funny... you don't have anyone lamenting the advent of cable, or color TV for that matter. CD are (were) progress. I'm not saying they are without fault, but what is?

as for the Planet,

Great player.

accurate reproduction of the harmonics, tones, pitch of
instruments and voices.

break-in period, necessity of a better interconnect

This is a fantastic CDP and the only one I considered at
less than $1000.When it comes to accurately reproducing
the tone of an instrument it could not be matched! It is
also a lot closer to the mythical "neutral" component than
most players. There are a few things you should know about
the Planet to appreciate it.

First, it must be broken in. Any demonstration unit
should be. When I first got mine home it SIZZLED! After a
few days it cleared up. But the instruments weren't as true
as they had been at the store. I've read right here on this
site that the interconnect could make a big difference and
even the instructions suggest a better cable (A Rega Brand)
will improve the sound and that brings me to my next point:

A high quality interconnect is a MUST. When I called
the store and asked which interconnect they had hooked up
to the Planet , his reply was " KCAG ". I really did not
want to spend $300 + on a cable so I tried the SilverStreak
at his suggestion which is supposed to offer most of the
performance of the KCAG at about only $150. I figured I
could always upgrade if need be. Well it was as if every
thing came into focus - the piano was now tuned! The lush
vocal arrangements I listen to were now ON. There was also
a little more detail but mostly it was the fullness of the
harmonies that this cable allowed the Planet to transmit.
Anyhow you must budget enough for a good interconnect and
who knows - you may find one cheaper than the SilverStreak
that works well.

My third and last point is not as easy to discern if
you don't listen to certain instruments but basically is
this : The highest frequencies are a little too prominent
(too loud). There are a few CDs you can play that make this
obvious without having to key in on certain instruments. On
Sinatra at the Sands the " clinking " of the glasses jump out too much - almost like its not coming from the audience
but from the stage. On Hotel California the rattlesnakes in
the left speaker at about 11 seconds into the song jump out
at you - too much so. It is not the dynamics because other
low frequency sounds are not affected. But its only at the
very top where few sounds are (no voices and very few instruments).
What this means is that you should put this player in
a system that is transparent but soft on top. At about $850
(700 for the player and 150 for the cable) it was clearly
better in most respects than the Link/Transport combo(piano
keys became brittle) and the RA 991(too much funny business
in the treble). I did not however listen to any HDCD cds on
that unit. But if your the kind of guy that must hear the
guitarist's fingers moving up and down the strings because you heard it on another CDP the 991 would be a better choice
and you would have HDCD for what its worth.

I rate the Planet as follows :

Value : 5 stars The best CDP under a grand - what
else could you give it ?

Sound : 4 stars I deducted a 1/2 star for its over
emphasis at the upper frequencies
and a 1/2 star for its very slight
smoothing of certain sounds.

Similar Products Used:

rotel 991, link DAC

Detail, Clarity, brings life to the music

Quirky looks (not for some), but thankfully I haven't encountered the noisy transport problem

The Planet is a somewhat odd looking machine, but the griddle-pan design encases a machine which, when properly partnered, will bring you a listening experience second to none at this price range.
All reviews of products are written in a subjective vein, what sounds particularly pleasing to my ears may not sound so to you. So when I say the Planet sounds fantastic to me, this is within the parameters of my system and the music that I listen too.
My Planet is partnered with a Naim 32.5 preamp/Naim Nap 160 power amp and a pair of B&W CDM1 SE's. The Naim combination is quite old, but packs far greater ability than any new integrated amp for the price I paid for the combo second-hand (approx$800). The B&W's are a recent upgrade from the B&W 601s2's (and are far superior), and I'm using Nordost super flatline bi-wire speaker cable. I'd agree with Glenn below that any Naim amp complements the Planet perfectly. The sheer desire of the Naims to place the music "up-front" is far more suited to the detailed delivery coming from the Rega than say the Arcam or the Marantz. They're no doubt decent players in their own right, but in my system they simply don't deliver the vibrancy I enjoy. When I listen to the vocals, hi-hats and trumpets in an excellently produced recording like Jimi Tenors Out of Nowhere, you're beginning to enter the realm of being able to close your eyes and actually believe that the musical ensemble is in your room, and surely that is one of ultimate goals of musical reproduction.
Having gone to Hi-fi shows, I know that the feeling is rarely produced in sub-$5000 dollar systems.

After acquiring the CDM's, I really feel that the Planet is now working at its optimum and that I'm squeezing all the quality I can out of it. Consequently, it's the next product on my upgrade list. But thats not because of any fault of its own. The value its given me, and hopefully will until the day it goes, has been superb. It may not be the player for your tastes, or may not suit your system, but if your spending sub-$700 on a CD player you'd be truly amiss not to give this player an audition.

Similar Products Used:

Marantz CD-17 KI sig., Arcam Alpha 8

Styling, build (but see text below)

Detail, rhythm, bass

The Rega was he first step in the upgrade of my system, which consisted of a Musical Fidelity amp and a pair of small but wonderful Tannoy speakers. It replaced a basic Pioneer deck, and the improvement was marked. The Rega was a touch warmer, and a touch more musical - just what the reviews indicated. It seemed light on bass, but then the Tannoys were no bass monsters. The only complaint was the output, which was intermittent on the left channel. I put this down to the QED interconnects, whose build quality gave much to be desired.

Next came an Electrocompaniet EC2 amp, which lifted he sound to the point here the Tannoys clearly were the weak link. I replaced them with Sonus Faber concertos, and that remained my system until I moved to Paris. The sound was excellent, though not as good as the rige (same amp, same speakers but Copland CD player) I'd heard at the showrooms. But then again how could a £400 player compare with one costing £1700?

One day the left channel began to fail totally, and, on invesigation, I was shocked to learn it was my precious Planet, not the cables, that had the problem. So off went he Planet for repairs, and I bought the Cambridge Audio unit for £50 to tide me over. It was then I found out the truth.

Despite its lowly cost, the Cambridge Audio racked my system up to the potential I never knew it had. Suddenly there was rhythm, detail, tight bass, it was nearly the system I'd heard with the Copland, and from a £50 interim player! When the Planet came back, I ran several straight comparisons, and there was no contest. The Concertos sang with the Cambridge Audio; they sounded muddy with the Planet.

I'm a big fan of Rega gear, but with the Planet they've tripped up. It's OK with cheaper componentry, but give it a decent amp and speakers, and the shortcomings come through. That warm sound comes at the expense of too much - no CD player can match a good turntable, and Rega, who make classic analog gear, unfortunately prove it with their very own CD player.

Similar Products Used:

Cambridge CD4SE

Sound,Top load design, Price, Bass

None that I can hear.

I really like my Planet. I have not incountered some of the problems that others have. Mainly the noise of the lid. I also thought the planet sounded a bit tiltled up in the high end,in my system. Then again its has been my experience that what might sound good in one system might not sound good in another one. Plus I really liked the bass it produced! Over all I really like this CD player.

Similar Products Used:

Rotel,Nad,Cambridge Audio

For rock and jazz this cd player is excellent. I have owned one for four months now with no complaints. This player is a great buy, and don't let the people critisizing it affect your opinion. If you want a great player for $800 buy it, if you want the best, spend thousands more!

I've had this player for about a year now. The more hours I use it the better it seems to sound. I prefer to listen on Grado SR-125 heaphones mostly, as I have a crappy listening room with multiple problems. This player is never fatiguing like most mass-market crap out there. You really have to spend time with it to appreciate it's qualities. I've been buying equipment for about 20 years now and I have never been more satisfied with a purchase.

Remarkable soundstage and ability to sound 'real'

Long break in time.

How soon is it appropriate to submit a review? As soon as the revelation is complete I think.

I heard the Rega Planet in my local friendly hi-fi store. It was attached to a Naim amplifier and a pair of Magneplanar speakers. I was greatly impressed. It sounded just a notch less than the Naim 3.5 CD player that I later listened to.

I should also mention that I hate CD's. Compared to vinyl they stink. I have felt this for a long time - ever since I left my Linn Sondek LP 12 in England. But for the first time since the Linn I heard music that was close in pacing and..here it comes 'musicality' to the Linn.

How could I resist. I bought the Rega and plugged it in. Ouch. Out of the box the Planet is abrasive and muddled. It's a pain to listen to. It surprises me that the folks back in the old country don't burn the machine in, but they don't, so you have to do it.

I have to say that the Rega Planet is not worth s**t or even shit, until it has been 'burned in' for at least 60 hours. The easy way to do this is to put a CD in it and put on repeat.

The first 24 hours are pure hell. You wonder if you received the right machine.Yes it does say Planet on the front and on the box. The machine you bought in good faith will make unpleasant noises. The bass will sound metallic and fuzzy. Instruments will sound muddled and confused. By this point you are ready to take the beast back to the store - don't. Persevere, the rewards are great. By the time 60 hours have elapsed the midrange will have sorted itself, the treble is so sweet you melt. And the whole image just suddenly makes sense.

A very big improvement can be obtained (50% of the time) by turning the power cord plug the other way up. I have Mr Lyon, several messages upline to thank for this one. The difference is astonishing. Try it.

I'm listening to the Rega in the background and it reminds me of my old Linn LP12. There is no higher accolade.

Similar Products Used:

If I were using similar products I wouldn't be using the Rega