Question Rega Planar 2 vs Audio Technica AT-LPW40WN?

[vincentjoshuaet]

Hi there, need help deciding for what's the best turntable I can get with my budget and preferences. I will be upgrading from an Audio Technica AT-LP60XBT

I live in the Philippines, getting a turntable from outside my country would be double the price so I have no choice but to pick from the available ones here. I read some starter guides for turntables and unfortunately they doesn't really help due to pricing differences and used market availability in my region, significantly decreasing the available turntables to buy.

Rega and Audio Technica are the only widely available turntables in my country (even for Rega you'll have to make an effort to find and travel to buy one) . I do see one shop selling the Pro-Ject turntables but I don't want to risk it regarding availability (stock), warranty or after sales support. I saw that Fluance RT82 is the most recommended starter turntable, but it would be 700 USD if I import it 🙁

Here are some reasons why these two are my final picks:

• I would like to go from LP60's automatic to manual
• Budget cap of 500 USD (PHP 30,000). I have a separate budget for phono pre-amp if needed
• Prefer buying new over used, already checked FB marketplace and Carousell and there aren't many choices
• Will be using active powered speakers (possibly upgrading in the near future)
• I like the minimalist look that would be a great display in my living room
• Bluetooth is not really required

Rega Planar 2 (475 USD) - the better looking one in my opinion (which is kinda important to me). I do not see much complaints about this as a beginner turntable, except for the Rega Carbon which some say is basically just the same as my LP60's AT3600L. Can someone confirm? If yes, would I notice a significant difference from the LP60XBT? I replaced my stylus with the elliptical ATN3600LE, can I use that with this turntable?

Audio-Technica AT-LPW40WN (400 USD) - I consider the price to be much lower than the Rega since I won't be buying a phono pre-amp if I get this (maybe in the future I will), and I say this still has the minimalist look I want (not much compared to the Rega, but maybe it would grow on me).

Can someone compare the build quality between these? The LPW40WN does not seem to be that much popular on forums, but it looks like the ones who bought it have had good experiences.

 

[Al ears]

Depends on your total budget and whatever you are connecting it to.
If you do need a separate phono preamp to connect the Rega then the AT is a better option financially, however it isn't the better deck.....

 

[vincentjoshuaet]

Depends on your total budget and whatever you are connecting it to.
If you do need a separate phono preamp to connect the Rega then the AT is a better option financially, however it isn't the better deck.....

Thanks. I can stretch my budget to get the RP2 + a phono pre amp if it is really that better. Is it? (even if Rega Carbon is just an AT3600, please correct me if I am wrong)

Would I be able to use the ATN3600LE stylus I currently have on my LP60X on the Planar 2? Based on google search it seems so

 

[Al ears]

Thanks. I can stretch my budget to get the RP2 + a phono pre amp if it is really that better. Is it? (even if Rega Carbon is just an AT3600, please correct me if I am wrong)

Would I be able to use the ATN3600LE stylus I currently have on my LP60X on the Planar 2? Based on google search it seems so

You would have to replace the whole cartridge and not just the stylus I think.
Having never seen that AT I cannot comment further as each of those cartridges are cheap and have no idea as to your future requirements.
You still haven't mentioned what other equipment these turntables are going to be used with.

 

[Integralista]

Hi there, need help deciding for what's the best turntable I can get with my budget and preferences. I will be upgrading from an Audio Technica AT-LP60XBT

I live in the Philippines, getting a turntable from outside my country would be double the price so I have no choice but to pick from the available ones here. I read some starter guides for turntables and unfortunately they doesn't really help due to pricing differences and used market availability in my region, significantly decreasing the available turntables to buy.

Rega and Audio Technica are the only widely available turntables in my country (even for Rega you'll have to make an effort to find and travel to buy one) . I do see one shop selling the Pro-Ject turntables but I don't want to risk it regarding availability (stock), warranty or after sales support. I saw that Fluance RT82 is the most recommended starter turntable, but it would be 700 USD if I import it 🙁

Here are some reasons why these two are my final picks:

• I would like to go from LP60's automatic to manual
• Budget cap of 500 USD (PHP 30,000). I have a separate budget for phono pre-amp if needed
• Prefer buying new over used, already checked FB marketplace and Carousell and there aren't many choices
• Will be using active powered speakers (possibly upgrading in the near future)
• I like the minimalist look that would be a great display in my living room
• Bluetooth is not really required

Rega Planar 2 (475 USD) - the better looking one in my opinion (which is kinda important to me). I do not see much complaints about this as a beginner turntable, except for the Rega Carbon which some say is basically just the same as my LP60's AT3600L. Can someone confirm? If yes, would I notice a significant difference from the LP60XBT? I replaced my stylus with the elliptical ATN3600LE, can I use that with this turntable?

Audio-Technica AT-LPW40WN (400 USD) - I consider the price to be much lower than the Rega since I won't be buying a phono pre-amp if I get this (maybe in the future I will), and I say this still has the minimalist look I want (not much compared to the Rega, but maybe it would grow on me).

Can someone compare the build quality between these? The LPW40WN does not seem to be that much popular on forums, but it looks like the ones who bought it have had good experiences.

Hi, it is nice to see such serious interest for vinyl player in Philipines. I think both alternatives which you have mentioned are solid constructions. Rega has very good tonarm, which is legendary even on this "small" turntable. Here is big difference between AT and Rega and also main reason, why Rega play so good. Rega Carbon Cartridge is made by AT for Rega, you are right here. But you get it in the package with turntable. This cartridge is basic but still very good. Later you may upgrade to new stylus Rega Carbon Pro, which is just introduced. Or something better. Regarding phono preamp, I recommend to look on something around 100 USD for this turntable. Rega Phono Mini A2D will be the right partner or some used Rega Phono MM box. This is really good unit. And what is the rest of your system, which amp, speakers are you using? BR

 

[daytona600]

Can someone compare the build quality between these?


Rega , Made in the UK , Lifetime Warranty , Great resale value

AT , Made in china by Very good Butt Plug & Turntables R Us soon to be landfill manufacturing Co Ltd

 

[Al ears]

Can someone compare the build quality between these?


Rega , Made in the UK , Lifetime Warranty , Great resale value

AT , Made in china by Very good Butt Plug & Turntables R Us soon to be landfill manufacturing Co Ltd

Regardless of where it's made it depends on what is right for you now.
A lifetime warranty is meaningless to most as it's limited and I don't know anyone who has kept a Rega long enough to know what it entails......
It obviously doesn't include any bits that are likely to fail.

 

[Integralista]

Can someone compare the build quality between these?


Rega , Made in the UK , Lifetime Warranty , Great resale value

AT , Made in china by Very good Butt Plug & Turntables R Us soon to be landfill manufacturing Co Ltd

Very valid point. I work for global leader in area of building and operating of "Waste to energy" plants. And we are operating e.g. huge WtX plant in Dubai (for 2 mil. Ton of waste yearly). There is so much gold, silver, platinum... separated from "hause waste" which was just going to landfill. But landill full of highend turntables, valve amps, speakers will be my second home. And Rega can be used even in components. You can assemble down the arm, cable and put on other chassis (Project 😉) or backwards.

 

[Integralista]

Regardless of where it's made it depends on what is right for you now.
A lifetime warranty is meaningless to most as it's limited and I don't know anyone who has kept a Rega long enough to know what it entails......
It obviously doesn't include any bits that are likely to fail.

I will ask my grandson to let you know how did it work with lifetime warranty. 😉

 

[Al ears]

I will ask my grandson to let you know how did it work with lifetime warranty. 😉

Presumably you rubber belt and motor are still intact?
They are the only things worth worrying about on a belt drive turntable.

 

[Integralista]

Presumably you rubber belt and motor are still intact?
They are the only things worth worrying about on a belt drive turntable.

Hi, I have a small stock of several versions they produced in last 20 years. I change them after some 5 years. Now added Ania Pro (repaired) cartridge, just because I was curious how good is this cartridge. Goldring Elite is packed in box. And I liked Goldring a lot. One Benz Micro Glyder SL demolished by my son "the Cleaner" still wait for repair. I think I will send it to get repaired for my birthday next year. Again, not sending it to landfil. First Glyder I used more than 10 years, no problem. Stylus and me survived. 😆

 

[Al ears]

Hi, I have a small stock of several versions they produced in last 20 years. I change them after some 5 years. Now added Ania Pro (repaired) cartridge, just because I was curious how good is this cartridge. Goldring Elite is packed in box. And I liked Goldring a lot. One Benz Micro Glyder SL demolished by my son "the Cleaner" still wait for repair. I think I will send it to get repaired for my birthday next year. Again, not sending it to landfil. First Glyder I used more than 10 years, no problem. Stylus and me survived. 😆

Still unsure as to what this has to do with OPs question or Rega warranty......

 

[Integralista]

Still unsure as to what this has to do with OPs question or Rega warranty......

Yes you are right. This is more about how to get Rega desease.

 

[Al ears]

Yes you are right. This is more about how to get Rega desease.

Best avoided.....just like the plague.....
To be honest they are brilliant at what they are, had an original Planar 3 at one point, but, and it's a big but, if you plan to progress upwards in turntable terms it's better to look elsewhere.

 

[Rui]

I would avoid rega having a P10 i can not tell you to buy that modelo you refer at as good and bad but not as bad as rega ,but the cheapest ones arent good i Guess the modelo you refer os better ,let me check ,wait is better than spending money and BE disapointed

 

[RTHerringbone]

Rega make fine turntables. They have some upgrade limitations, but upgrades aren't a key requirement of some listeners, so read into that accordingly.

Rui has loud and subjective opinions mostly centring on the year in which equipment was manufactured.

 

[Revolutions]

I used an RP6 for years, happily. Great deck, and Rega make excellent carts for how I like music to hear.

 

[Rui]

I would avoid rega having a P10 i can not tell you to buy that modelo you refer at as good and bad but not as bad as rega ,but the cheapest ones arent good i Guess the modelo you refer os better ,let me check ,wait is better than spending money and BE disapointed

I've checked and the AT isn't good at all , the Rega is a bad built turntable but the AT-LpW40wn if i had to choose would BE ir ,can Change the cartridges to upgrade it , the 2M series from Ortofon is bad,the 2Mblack isn't at all good but the plus is that it got too highs ,i've had many cartridges through out my life ,vem my first turntable a late 60's Pioneer PL,-43 ,i think with its original cartridge is a lot better than all refered here , but at the time the receiver from the same years was a lot better sounding than many amplifiers till 2.000€ new , had some Philips speakers who sounded amazing ,today they look rotten and a square box with no depht still sounds very good , i heard about a Fluance here ,maybe the best as it can BE upgraded and looks fine or the AT-LPW40WN if nothing else is possível um the 2nd hand market or maybe you check them and tell what até the possibilities if checked , or could haver problems,i haver very early 70's turntables that still are above all here refered and some Times i find them cheap, like a technics looki g new and well preserved a SL-1700 with a good stylus and cartridges built by nagaoka for technics ,i heard a MP-500 and wasn't that good ,well better than the options refered here , i can refer that the second turntable i had was my fathers leftovers but good and on the Next 15 years he didn't noticed it, see well the 2nd hand market and bring options, but i refer based on the ones refered which are the better to buy, have luck ,maybe you Will BE lucky new or not

 

[Rui]

Rega make fine turntables. They have some upgrade limitations, but upgrades aren't a key requirement of some listeners, so read into that accordingly.

Rui has loud and subjective opinions mostly centring on the year in which equipment was manufactured.

I ONLY refered the better i could and the years does not matter,ONLY quality, i haver a professional thorens from the 60's already working in a nacional rádio station and works with almost perfect quality , as perfection does not exist ,but almost is good ,excelent ,all opinions are valid on this level ,the philipines is a not so well rulled country, hope he has the luck to live well and listen to is favorite music