![]() That’s an excellent value proposition and, in my opinion, the P5 is still a great ’table, even today.Ĭut to the present. For 20% of the cost, I estimate the P5 performed at 80% of the level of my reference setup. It really “kicked out the jams,” great for rock, 80s New Wave, and blues. The P5 had excellent detail and resolution, and had a punchy, energetic quality with real drive. I put a Sumiko Pearwood Celebration II cartridge on it, and was surprised at how good it sounded, performing way above its price point. This setup became my reference (the Vermilion has since been re-tipped and fully re-built by Koetsu), but I never forgot how much I enjoyed Rega turntables, and in 2012, bought a lightly used Rega P5 with external power supply from a friend. About a year later, I snagged a very lightly used Koetsu Urushi Vermilion moving-coil cartridge. When I got seriously back into high-end audio in 2010, and was looking for a newer turntable, my Linn-owning friend offered me his like-new SME V tonearm for a great price (the SME wasn’t a good match for his Linn), and I bought a Michell Gyro SE turntable for it. Eventually, I passed my Planar 3 on to my brother-in-law as a Christmas gift when his ’table died. In 1987, I put a Grace Ruby on the SME, and then in 2009, Peter Ledermann of Soundsmith re-tipped the Grace with one of his ruby-cantilevered styli, which took the cartridge to another level. And I kept my Planar 3 for the next 30 years, using it exclusively as my music source during the years when my involvement with high-end audio waxed and waned. My friend went out the next week and bought a Linn Sondek LP12, which he owns to this day. Every single time, the Rega sounded better, hands down. We did multiple comparisons that evening, back and forth, with our best reference LPs played on both decks. Much to our mutual surprise, the Rega Planar 3 blew the Kenwood into the weeds. I took the rig over to another audio buddy, who was then using the Kenwood KD-500 granite turntable and Infinity Black Widow tonearm, which, at the time, comprised one of the “hot” turntable setups recommended by TAS’ founder, Harry Pearson. If memory serves, I used a Frank Van Alstine-modified Sonus Gold cartridge. Shortly thereafter, I purchased the original Rega Planar 3, and, as low-tracking-force cartridges were then the rage, put the new SME Series III tonearm on it. In 1980, when I was looking to upgrade my Thorens TD160 turntable, a good friend and audio buddy provided me with a recommendation: “You should check out this new company, Rega. dimensions (psu): 7" x 6.1" x 1.M y love for Rega turntables goes back a long way.We have used the most advanced materials and engineering solutions built around a supremely lightweight plinth to ensure the greatest level of performance." - Rega TECH SPECS Every aspect of the Planar 8 is engineered to extract as much detail from the vinyl surface as possible. Our aim was to deliver a level of performance far beyond what has been achieved at this price point before. We decided early on that instead of an evolution of the previous RP8, the new Planar 8 was to be developed and engineered to encapsulate the essence of 'Naiad' at an affordable price. ![]() "The Planar 8 was inspired by the ultimate Rega turntable, the 'Naiad'. removable single-piece dustcover included.available w/ pre-mounted Ania MC (moving coil), Apheta MC (moving coil), or no cartridge.hand-tuned 24v low noise motor assembly.super flywheel effect triple layer glass platter.advanced anti-vibration control + user adjustable electronic fine speed adjustment.includes external Neo Power Supply w/ convenient electronic speed change.ultra lightweight Tancast 8 foam core chassis btw two layers of high pressure laminate.Hi-Fi Choice Editor's Choice award winner.high performance audiophile turntable inspired by Rega's flagship "Naiad" turntable.Cartridge Headshells / Alignment / Cleaners
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