Rega
Rega Planar 2 Review
The entry point into Rega's audiophile lineup with improved platter and tonearm over the Planar 1.
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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 phono preamp 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
Our Take
Positioned between the Planar 1 and Planar 3, the Planar 2 justifies its place in the lineup with a meaningful upgrade: a better glass platter and the RB220 tonearm, which offers improved bearing precision over the Planar 1's RB110. These are not cosmetic differences — they translate to better speed consistency and more accurate tracking.
The Rega Carbon cartridge is a starting point, and most Planar 2 owners upgrade to a Rega 2M Red or Rega Bias 2 relatively quickly once they hear what the deck can do with a better cartridge. That upgrade path is well-supported and sensibly priced.
The Planar 2 sits at an interesting inflection point: it's close enough to the Planar 3 in price that buyers should consider whether the additional investment makes sense. But for someone who wants to step into Rega's audiophile tier without committing to the Planar 3, it's a genuine and satisfying entry.
Sound Quality
The improved platter and RB220 arm give the Planar 2 a more composed sound than the Planar 1 — bass is tighter, imaging is more stable, and there's better separation between instruments. The Rega Carbon cartridge is the limiting factor; with an upgrade it, the deck opens up considerably. Compared to a Fluance RT82, the Planar 2 sounds more open and musical — the Rega engineering philosophy of minimizing resonance at every stage shows in the result. Strong performer for jazz, folk, classical, and acoustic listening.
Setup and Ease of Use
No built-in preamp — a phono stage is required. Rega ships the Planar 2 with the cartridge pre-aligned to their tonearm geometry, which simplifies initial setup. Counterweight balancing and anti-skate setting take about 10 minutes. Dust cover hinges into place easily. The main thing: budget for a phono stage before purchasing if you don't already have one. Optional: a stylus force gauge for precise VTF verification.
What We Like
- ✓ Step up from Planar 1 with better platter
- ✓ Rega's renowned RB220 tonearm
- ✓ Great entry into audiophile territory
What Could Be Better
- ✗ No built-in preamp
- ✗ Manual operation only
Best For
Those ready to cross into audiophile territory
Sold Out on Amazon?
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