Rega
Rega Planar 1 Review
A clean, minimalist turntable that focuses on sound and simplicity over extra features.
Typically $300–$600
Check Price on Amazon Also worth considering
- Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVOCheck on AmazonTypically $300–$600 Mid-Range
- Rega Planar 2Check on AmazonTypically $300–$600 Mid-Range
Quick Specs
Hover over ⓘ to learn what each means
- Drive Type ⓘ Belt drive = quieter listening, great for home use. Direct drive = instant start/stop, good if you want to DJ or scratch records.
- belt
- Speeds ⓘ This tells you which records you can play. 33 RPM plays full albums, 45 RPM plays singles. If it includes 78, you can also play old vintage records from your grandparents' collection.
- 33, 45 RPM
- Built-in Preamp ⓘ Yes = plug directly into any speakers and you're ready to go. No = you'll need to buy a separate preamp ($50-150) or use a receiver with a 'phono' input.
- No
- USB Output ⓘ Yes = you can plug into your computer and save your vinyl as digital files to listen on your phone. No = vinyl only, no digital copies.
- No
- Cartridge ⓘ This is the part that actually touches your records. A good cartridge means better sound quality. You can always upgrade this later without buying a new turntable.
- Rega Carbon
What We Like
- ✓ Rega's famous plug and play simplicity
- ✓ Great tonearm for the money
- ✓ Very musical sound
What Could Be Better
- ✗ No built-in preamp
- ✗ Minimal feature set (by design)
Best For
People who want a purist listening-first deck under $600
Sold Out on Amazon?
If this turntable isn't available, these similar options are worth considering:
- Check availability
Pro-Ject T1 Phono SB
Similar minimalist approach with built-in phono preamp.
- Check availability
Denon DP-400
Semi-automatic operation with elegant curved tonearm.