Rega Planar 3 – The turntable that gives music a soul.

There are turntables that simply play records — and then there are turntables that transform every listening session into an experience, every groove into a story, every album into a ritual. The Rega Planar 3 belongs to the latter. With a legacy dating back to the mid-’70s and a philosophy all its own, the Planar 3 has become one of the most iconic turntables in the world of hi-fi. It’s not just a piece of gear that “sounds good.” It’s that trusted companion that sets the mood for every record you play — the one that reminds you why you fell in love with music in the first place.

The Story of Rega and the Birth of the Planar

The journey began in 1973, when Roy Gandy and Tony Relph founded Rega Research with just £1,000 each. Gandy, then a technician at Ford, was already building turntables in his spare time. His first model, the Planet, featuring three cylindrical supports instead of a traditional platter, revealed an early appetite for radical design thinking. By the mid-’70s came the first Planar, and soon after, in 1976, the Planar 3. Initially, it went largely unnoticed — but over time, it earned recognition and a devoted following. In 1983, Rega introduced the legendary RB300 tonearm, designed and manufactured entirely in-house — a milestone that cemented the Planar 3 as a true reference point in the world of turntables.

Today, the current edition continues that same tradition: simplicity, rigidity, and mechanical precision — all in the service of music.

See the Rega Planar 3 Black here

A Different Philosophy: Light Yet Rigid

While most turntable manufacturers bet on mass, Rega chose a different path. Roy Gandy has long believed —and still maintains— that high mass absorbs energy, which then returns as coloration. Every bit of lost energy is lost music.

Rega’s answer is rigidity without mass: a lightweight structure that never flexes.

In the Planar 3, a reinforced phenolic resin bracing beam connects the tonearm to the main bearing, preserving absolute precision where it matters most. The glass platter provides the necessary inertia and smooth rotation without unnecessary weight.

The result? A turntable that delivers the music’s energy directly — pure, unfiltered, and alive.

The RB330 Tonearm – The Heart of Precision

The RB330 represents the latest evolution in Rega’s renowned tonearm lineage. Crafted from low-mass aluminum with ultra-low-friction bearings, it ensures tracking accuracy that reveals every nuance carved into the record’s grooves.

When paired with Rega’s Elys or Exact MM cartridges, the Planar 3 achieves a remarkable balance of clarity, dynamics, and musical grace — a performance that speaks the language of true analog fidelity.

Rega Planar 3 50th Anniversary Edition

In 2023, Rega celebrated half a century of craftsmanship in the most fitting way possible — by unveiling the Planar 3 50th Anniversary Edition, a turntable not merely built to play records, but to tell the story of the brand itself. Announced in May 2023, it instantly sparked excitement among vinyl enthusiasts, carrying the promise of a one-year production run — until December — a true “now or never” moment for those who wanted to own a piece of Rega’s legacy.

And indeed, the anniversary edition arrived dressed in all the right details: the hand-tuned Neo PSU MK2, the meticulously crafted RB330 tonearm, the factory-fitted Rega Exact MM cartridge, and even a robust custom case — a treasure chest designed to protect a legend. The walnut finish added a timeless touch of sophistication, setting it apart from the standard version, while its price seemed almost generous for what it represented.

It’s no surprise that stocks disappeared faster than a record spins through its first side. Yet the fascination — and the nostalgia — lingered long after production ended. A turntable conceived as a tribute, remembered as a legend.

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The RS Edition – A New Breath of Life for the Planar 3

In November 2024, Rega introduced the Planar 3 RS Edition, breathing new life into its iconic turntable. With an elegant HPL brushed aluminium finish that fuses classic aesthetics with a contemporary edge — and the addition of the new Rega Nd5 cartridge — the RS Edition brings modern innovation a step closer to the timeless philosophy of the Planar 3. This special iteration doesn’t alter the model’s essence; instead, it refines it — enhancing precision, durability, and overall performance. The result is a turntable that stays true to its heritage while offering vinyl enthusiasts an even more immersive and complete listening experience.

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Technical Performance – Measured in Practice

The Rega Planar 3 stays true to the brand’s philosophy of simplicity without unnecessary specs, yet its measurements speak volumes about its precision. Its rotational speed is remarkably stable, with a deviation of less than 0.2%, while wow & flutter is measured around 0.19% — figures that place it among the very best in its class. Motor noise remains impressively low, ensuring a clean and silent background, while the glass platter contributes to smooth rotation and long-term durability. These numbers simply confirm what the ear already perceives: stability, clarity, and musicality free of coloration — the hallmarks of true Rega engineering.

User Experience – From Box to Music

One of the Planar 3’s greatest strengths is its simplicity. Assembly takes less than twenty minutes: place the platter, fit the belt, balance the counterweight, and press play. No complicated setup, no “audiophile magic tricks.” That makes it ideal both for newcomers taking their first steps into vinyl, and for seasoned collectors seeking a reliable, musical turntable they can trust.

The Rega Planar 3 isn’t for those who live by spreadsheets and spec sheets — it’s for those who live for the music. And that’s exactly where it shines.

Listening Impressions – Music Through the Planar 3

Jazz – John Coltrane, A Love Supreme

From the very first notes, the room fills with spirituality. Coltrane’s saxophone burns with prayer-like intensity, while the rhythm section follows with precision and passion. Through the Planar 3, the album doesn’t just play — it unfolds like a ritual.

Classical – Bach, Cello Suites (Yo-Yo Ma)

The Planar 3 reveals the natural resonance of the wood, the silence between the notes, even the faint creak of the chair. The music breathes. You don’t just hear Ma — you’re in the room with him.

Rock – The Rolling Stones, Let It Bleed

From Gimme Shelter to Monkey Man, the Planar 3 channels the band’s raw energy. The guitar screams, the drums hit hard, and Jagger’s voice bursts from the speakers with swagger. This is why vinyl is still alive.

Blues – Muddy Waters, Folk Singer

Muddy’s voice comes through with depth and truth. The subtle string vibrations, the breath between lines, the sense of the studio itself — all right there before you. The Planar 3 honors the roots of the blues.

Electronica – Massive Attack, Mezzanine

In electronic territory, the Planar 3 shows its precision. The bass is tight, the stereo image wide, the layers of production unfold with microscopic detail. The result is magnetic, hypnotic.

Female Vocals – Norah Jones, Come Away With Me

Norah’s voice sounds warm and tangible, as if she’s singing in the room. The Planar 3 finds perfect balance — clarity without coolness, detail without excess.

System used for listening sessions: Naim Nait 5si amplifier & Focal Aria Evo X Nº2 speakers.

Rega Planar 3 Red

Little Quirks

• A faint belt squeak on startup — gone the moment rotation stabilizes.

• The dust cover hinges are a bit delicate and deserve gentle handling.

• It doesn’t flaunt luxury or visual bravado — Rega has always prioritized substance over showmanship.

Recommended Cartridges

The most natural choices for the Rega Planar 3 come, of course, from Rega itself. The Elys 2 remains a classic option — well-balanced, musical, and effortless to install — while the Exact raises the bar with greater resolution and tonal purity.

In Rega’s newer generation, the Nd3, Nd5, and Nd7 cartridges with neodymium magnets offer even finer tracking and enhanced transparency, representing the brand’s most up-to-date upgrade path. For those looking to step into the MC world, the Ania or Ania Pro bring deeper soundstage and richer tonality, provided they’re paired with an appropriate phono stage.

At the same time, many vinyl enthusiasts successfully pair third-party cartridges — such as the Ortofon 2M Blue or 2M Bronze, and the Denon DL-301 MKII — all of which complement the RB330 tonearm beautifully when properly aligned.

In essence, the Planar 3 invites its owner to evolve with it — a timeless platform that reveals the soul of every record, no matter how far one chooses to take the journey.

Who Is the Planar 3 For?

• For the new listener ready to enter the world of vinyl seriously — and with a proper budget.

• For the music lover who values precision without spending a fortune.

• For the collector who knows that Rega stands for reliability and longevity.

• For the audiophile who seeks pure substance over spectacle.

Awards & Recognition

The Rega Planar 3 stands as one of the most decorated turntables in its class, earning consistent praise from the world’s leading hi-fi publications. It has repeatedly won What Hi-Fi?’s Product of the Year award (2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2024), as well as multiple Best Turntable honors within the £500–£1000 category. Hi-Fi Choice named it both Group Test Winner and Editor’s Choice, while Hi-Fi News labeled it an Outstanding Product. At the same time, The Ear and AVForums granted it Best Buy accolades, and Sound+Image Awards recognized it with a special commendation. With such a rich history of acclaim, the Planar 3 isn’t just a turntable — it’s the benchmark by which the entire industry measures itself.

Rega Planar 3 White

In Conclusion

A turntable with a soul. The Rega Planar 3 may not be the most expensive turntable on the market, nor the most visually striking — but it is one of the few that have truly earned legendary status, and not by accident. Its simplicity, mechanical logic, musicality, and Rega’s unwavering consistency have made it a benchmark for generations of listeners. If you want a turntable that doesn’t show off but instead lets the music speak, the Planar 3 is your answer. Every record gains depth, energy, emotion — and in the end, that’s what truly matters.

AthensProAudio Team ©