Any one seen the new REGA "PLANAR" 3 turntable, I had a quick look at one in my local dealer, new glossy finish, but not sure what other upgrades there are, I can't see it being much different from the RP3 underneath
Chris Munden said:Any one seen the new REGA "PLANAR" 3 turntable, I had a quick look at one in my local dealer, new glossy finish, but not sure what other upgrades there are, I can't see it being much different from the RP3 underneath
plastic penguin said:Chris Munden said:Any one seen the new REGA "PLANAR" 3 turntable, I had a quick look at one in my local dealer, new glossy finish, but not sure what other upgrades there are, I can't see it being much different from the RP3 underneath
Too late. Already been reviewed by WHFI.
Clickety.
plastic penguin said:Chris Munden said:Any one seen the new REGA "PLANAR" 3 turntable, I had a quick look at one in my local dealer, new glossy finish, but not sure what other upgrades there are, I can't see it being much different from the RP3 underneath
Too late. Already been reviewed by WHFI.
Clickety.
Al ears said:plastic penguin said:Chris Munden said:Any one seen the new REGA "PLANAR" 3 turntable, I had a quick look at one in my local dealer, new glossy finish, but not sure what other upgrades there are, I can't see it being much different from the RP3 underneath
Too late. Already been reviewed by WHFI.
Clickety.
And there's a new Planar 2 coming.
Harper100 said:Will avoid any Rega products in the future.
plastic penguin said:Al ears said:plastic penguin said:Chris Munden said:Any one seen the new REGA "PLANAR" 3 turntable, I had a quick look at one in my local dealer, new glossy finish, but not sure what other upgrades there are, I can't see it being much different from the RP3 underneath
Too late. Already been reviewed by WHFI.
Clickety.
And there's a new Planar 2 coming.
I heard you the first time. *biggrin*
2 or 3 does it matter? They all look the same. That's why I'm fed up with budget Pro-jects. There's little or no distinction.
Chris Munden said:It makes you wonder just how much further REGA can take this design, its seen many changes over the years since I bought my Planar 3 from the first batch with the RB300 arm. I suspect that all these upgrades as each new model comes out is probably more subtle than dramatic, although the manufacturer will have us believe its dramatic, even the reviewers get seduced into the dramatic camp on occasions, come down to earth chaps.
I think if Rega wants to go to the next level, it needs to be new from the ground up rather than tinkering with a 30 year old design. I have no intention of 'upgrading' my old Planar 3, it plays records very nicely and may be a cartridge upgrade later.
chrisr1718 said:Harper100 said:Will avoid any Rega products in the future.
Seems a bit extreme, just because the cartridge was duff.
Chris Munden said:BigH, I was a precission engineer working in the model industry, now retired, but I could see several places the Planar 3 could be upgraded, the platter bearing was basically sound with very little play, so I fitted a new tungston carbide ball bearing from Lotus engineering, some special lube we used in the model industry, I first lapped in the base of the platter spindle where it meets the ball (it was dreadfull under the magnifier) and let the platter sink down under its own weight, I kept the old motor but mounted it with the Rega sticky pads as the old suspension system was just not hacking it. I fitted a DECO audio ally pully, and one of their 'little green belter' belts and damped down the plastic pulley with felt. I have mixed feelings about heavy glass platters.
Next I fitted an Ortofon Red 11, and then raised the arm at the pivot end with home made 1-mm wooden spacers made out of Obeche to get the arm horizontal in playing position. I fitted an Origin Live mat. That's it really, can't see any more need to do anything else, if you want a very good medium to isolate the deck feet from the surface, Balsa Wood, medium soft grade! It works trust me and it costs eff all. Upgrades are in my opinion subject to the deminishing return for the money you spend. I now play records rather than trying to listen to the record player if you see what I mean.
Chris Munden said:I suspect Rega don't have too many options left and their route mapping might be coming to an end for that format, There is only so much more you can do with a design that's almost perfect. I'm open minded and I have heard a couple of friends Project turntables, namely a Expression Carbon and Experience basic, both to my ears sounded just as good as the Rega with similar Ortofon cartridges and they seem to be a more progessive company.
I'm sure Roy Gandy is not standing by idle, he will for sure be planning his next project, but it may not be a turntable in the style we know. There may well be totally new technology being used, and that may be a good thing as the next step up, watch the price though Roy!
NSA_watch_my_toilet said:Hello Chris Munden. Good to have a knowledgeable member more in the forum.
I share your opinion. Rega's could be upgraded, there are things to do. The problem is, that the costs related to those improvements will probably be too high and the product will loose his appealing price.
As an other member mentionned it. This design is copied through the whole industry. Specially on the cheap hifi turntables. And there is a reason for that. -> It's the less costly for a good efficiency in reproduction quality. If you want to top that, you need thicker plinths, better shells, better bearings, better regulated motors and thicker platters. But I would like to see Rega introduce a RP8 that goes exactly that way.
In fact, if they had done something like that, I would probably be a Rega user now.
jimbofisher said:Nice pic of the Inspire Quest upgrade for a Rega, i have one and it is very good.