Rega quality control slipping?

[admin_exported]

In the past 6 months I have bought 3 Rega products after wanting them for over a decade, there sound just suits my tastes. But I'm starting to regret buying them as everyone has developed a fault. This not due to over or miss use just normal listening about 10 hours a week. First the Brio-R developed a hiss even when there was no volume. Then my RP1 has an electrical hum when switched on coming from the motor and finally my recent purchase of a Rega dac has a static click in the right channel. If it wasn't for the sound they made I would return the lot. Is it just my luck or is there a decrease in the quality of there products. I was told there quality was one of there strong points.

 

[batonwielder]

No, it's not your luck. I, for one, have never seen an Apollo that didn't freeze up as widely known, have personally witnessed the woofers blow out on the R3 speakers, and returned a Brio that didn't have the casing assembled right. Perhaps it's my luck as well.

I do enjoy the sound, however, on some of their gears, but it's advisable to find a good dealer who will promtly replace faulty pieces.

 

[shafesk]

Its a real shame, I've been considering buying the Rega dac. However, the number of complaints I've seen on this forum is ridiculous. Rega was a company synonymous with great build quality, their turntables are famous for lasting decades. This has entirely put me off the brand. Rega should sort things out because many of us would love to own their stuff

 

[CJSF]

Yep, power supply upgrade to the P5 caused a hum through the speakers, dealer tried hard to fix it, improved but not gone, returned the PSU, upgraded to the 'white drive belt', better sound, no hum, at a fraction of the cost! . . . I have since discovered a member rewiring his Rega arm, hum disappeared . . . he had been putting up with the hum it appears?

I enjoy the Rega sound, afraid I'm less impressed with the 'take it or leave it' attitude that seems come with it? . . . my humble opinion.

CJSF

 

[kevinJ]

I don't own Rega products, but I did audition them and really liked them too. But I've also come across a few topics about issues with the amp and dac, and with my luck, I would definately have issues with both.

And when I spend money on something, I want the product to be worth it instead of giving issues that are told to be "normal".

 

[hoopsontoast]

Just a thought, how could you have been wanting the following for 'over a decade'...

Rega DAC, Rega BrioR and Rega RP1? :?

 

[hoopsontoast]

I think it is your luck, and just reading the bad bits on forums. No one posts about reliability until it goes wrong, or it gets old.

I have owned, the Jura, R1, R3 and R7 Speakers, Brio3 and the original Planet CDP. All very well built for the money and great products. And no problems at all.

RE the R3 drivers 'blowing out' was that not just from high volumes, they are only small speakers after all.

 

[Anonymous]

I have been wanting rega products for over a decade. Since from when I first heard them. I am aware the products I have bought are the latest models.

 

[Anonymous]

I have had the rega mira3,apollo,brio-r,dac and apollo-r and none of them had a single fault, all worked perfectly and sounded even better than i could ever imagine.

I am aware of some people having issues with some rega kit but when you put into perpective how many happy customers rega have then it sort of outweighs itself, plus rega do have excellent customer service which many people on here will vouch for.

 

[matthewpiano]

All manufacturers have issues and, as has already been said, you only tend to hear about the issues rather than people saying how reliable their kit is. If you search NAD online there are loads of issues described, and the same with Marantz, but I have never had problems with any of their kit. Likewise Cambridge Audio - lots of issues raised in forums etc. but I've never had a problem.

 

[jamesrfisher]

Think it is just your bad luck. I have had my Planar since 1990 and it works fine with regular use.

Have had the DAC for over a year, it is mostly left on and has at least a few hours every day.

 

[chebby]

I've had at least one (or more) Rega items in my systems from 1983 onwards. (4 turntables, 2 amplifiers, 2 tuners, 2 sets of their speakers, 1 heaphone amp and 1 phono stage) and never had any fault with any of it.

A friend had a Rega Apollo for a couple of years and it gave excellent service too.

Sorry I can't comment on the latest range.

They are a busy little company as indicated by the fact that they were selling 1500 turntables a month (last year's figures) and that is only one of their product lines. They make and assemble virtually everything in-house (even speaker drivers) and have been introducing new products/versions across almost every line at a very un-Rega like pace for the last couple of years. (RP1, RP3, RP6, Brio-R, Apollo-R, DAC, new versions of TT-PSU, EAR, Fono, Fono-Mini etc.)

Alas, still no Rega 'all-in-one' though :-(

 

[batonwielder]

You read about those complaints online, and you think it's an isolated incident (bad luck). Then it happens to you and you are in denial. You put up with it because it's universally praised and justify your spendings. Then one day you get so fed up you sell it and post it online. Then someone reads your complaint, and thinks it's an isolated incident...and on and on...

 

[Oldenbroke]

I had to return an Elys cartridge fitted to a RP3. Seems Rega are / were a

victim of their success not being able to meet demand and had some

staff competence issues. New cartridge fitted and all is good. Play it

through a Brio-r and sound is fantastic. There is a barely audible buzz

when ear is pressed to speaker grille, but since this is not my usual

listening position, it causes no problem! Loved the RS3s I had on loan too.

I suspect there may be a happy owner for every unhappy one.

 

[hoopsontoast]

You read about those complaints online, and you think it's an isolated incident (bad luck). Then it happens to you and you are in denial. You put up with it because it's universally praised and justify your spendings. Then one day you get so fed up you sell it and post it online. Then someone reads your complaint, and thinks it's an isolated incident...and on and on...

I think you need to put it in perspective, that the 4 or 5 comments I have read on 'Rega reliability' out of the many thousands of individual products they sell each month really is pretty darn good!

 

[shafesk]

I don't think the OP is talking about Rega's usual range of turntables and speakers or amps here just the new brio r and the new dac. Regas have been outstandingly reliable before but you often hear about the brio r going wrong or the dac going wrong. I believe its just the two products.

 

[Anonymous]

It seems to me that there is no significant issue with Rega quality at all, just a few isolated complaints generated by people who are surprised by the fact that a company known for its build quality and reliability produce a very small percentage of products with a fault (or perceived fault).

All manufacturers will have some faults in their product range and the only real reason to complain about them is if they will not address it by repairing or replacing the item when asked to do so within a reasonable timeframe.

Nothing I have seen leads me to think there is any issue here.

 

[Native_bon]

Am a proud owner of the original Rega cd player for 8yrs now or more, & not one single problem.. I purchased a cambridge Audio 840c just 4 yrs ago & been for repairs twice already. Thinking of selling it off!! I added a DAC to my rega & its never sounded Better. Must say this is the only rega product i have bought till date, but it has done a great job..

 

[Anonymous]

I was not talking about there historic products more that I have bought three new Rega products and all three have developed a fault. Now normally if one fails ok that's fine these things happen but three different products I start to question quality control as I would see that as unusual. I am aware they have many satisfied customers and for the sound I count myself among them unfortunately as for there reliability I am not. Yes people rarely come on forums when everything goes fine. But there are also those that don't post on forums when things go wrong. I'm guessing the people that really know are the people that sell the products, and in that case all the shops I have spoke to sounded surprised that there was an issue with any Rega product far less three of them. They should be going back to Rega shortly and I will let you know how I get on. But I know at this current stage I would question buying a Rega product again.

 

[Anonymous]

I was not talking about there historic products more that I have bought three new Rega products and all three have developed a fault. Now normally if one fails ok that's fine these things happen but three different products I start to question quality control as I would see that as unusual. I am aware they have many satisfied customers and for the sound I count myself among them unfortunately as for there reliability I am not. Yes people rarely come on forums when everything goes fine. But there are also those that don't post on forums when things go wrong. I'm guessing the people that really know are the people that sell the products, and in that case all the shops I have spoke to sounded surprised that there was an issue with any Rega product far less three of them. They should be going back to Rega shortly and I will let you know how I get on. But I know at this current stage I would question buying a Rega product again.

 

[Anonymous]

Double post

 

[Anonymous]

I was not talking about there historic products more that I have bought three new Rega products and all three have developed a fault. Now normally if one fails ok that's fine these things happen but three different products I start to question quality control as I would see that as unusual. I am aware they have many satisfied customers and for the sound I count myself among them unfortunately as for there reliability I am not. Yes people rarely come on forums when everything goes fine. But there are also those that don't post on forums when things go wrong. I'm guessing the people that really know are the people that sell the products, and in that case all the shops I have spoke to sounded surprised that there was an issue with any Rega product far less three of them. They should be going back to Rega shortly and I will let you know how I get on. But I know at this current stage I would question buying a Rega product again.

I have not had any problems with my year old Saturn and Mira3 (as yet !!) but I can understand your disappointment. I think if I was in your position, having 3 faulty products, I would be looking for some kind of goodwill gesture from Rega.

 

[batonwielder]

I have not had any problems with my year old Saturn and Mira3 (as yet !!) but I can understand your disappointment. I think if I was in your position, having 3 faulty products, I would be looking for some kind of goodwill gesture from Rega.

[/quote]

Yeah, like a free pair of RS10 speakers!!!

 

[VinylRush]

I would suggest you find a local dealer if possible to buy your Rega products from. If you have a problem they will usually bend over backwards to help you out.

I also think you have been unlucky. I frequent a number of online discussions forums and have seen a few issue crop up on WHF and other forums, but nothing out of the ordinary. So I think stating that Rega's QC is pants because of a few isolated incidents is over stepping the mark a little. I just don't see the evidence for this on the web.

 

[Anonymous]

I would suggest you find a local dealer if possible to buy your Rega products from. If you have a problem they will usually bend over backwards to help you out.

I also think you have been unlucky. I frequent a number of online discussions forums and have seen a few issue crop up on WHF and other forums, but nothing out of the ordinary. So I think stating that Rega's QC is pants because of a few isolated incidents is over stepping the mark a little. I just don't see the evidence for this on the web.

I never said it was pants i asked if it was slipping as my personal experience is a 100% failure rate which is not good in anyone's book. Never mind a company with a great reputation for quality. Hence why I asked if it is slipping or was it just my bad luck.

I have a local dealer who is being very helpful with this even though I only bought one product there.