Rega System One

The heart of the System One is the Planar 1, one of the most awarded entry-level turntables. It is designed as plug-and-play, so it plays music almost as soon as it comes out of the box, even for someone who has never owned a turntable before.

No adjustments needed

The hand-made RB110 tonearm comes with preset bias, while the Carbon cartridge is already fitted and aligned at the factory. Rega says set-up takes less than 30 seconds.

No gauges, alignment protractors or specialist knowledge are needed. You simply fit the platter, belt and counterweight, as the manual describes, connect the turntable to the io and lower the stylus.

The Carbon cartridge is a moving magnet design with a carbon cantilever and spherical stylus, 2.5 mV output and 2 g tracking force.

The stylus is easy to replace when worn, using Rega's replacement Carbon stylus.

Rega construction

The Planar 1 has a low-vibration 24 V motor, an aluminium pulley and a 23 mm phenolic resin platter driven via a sub-platter for stable speed.

The rigid plinth limits the vibration that reaches the cartridge, while the power switch sits discreetly under the base.

The turntable plays 33 and 45 rpm records, by moving the belt on the pulley. For easier switching, Rega offers an optional 45 rpm adaptor.

It measures 44.7 x 11.7 x 36 cm with the lid closed, so it fits comfortably on ordinary furniture, and the supplied dust cover protects both records and stylus between listening sessions.

The io may be Rega's most compact amplifier, but it shares its output stage and phono stage with the multi-award-winning Brio. At 18 x 6.8 x 29 cm and 2.9 kg, it fits almost anywhere, from a bookshelf to a small TV cabinet.

Power and construction

The io delivers 30 W per channel into 8 Ω, enough to drive the Kyte comfortably in any typical room. Amplification is Class A/B, with Sanken output transistors.

Volume is controlled by an Alps potentiometer, while the linear power supply with a toroidal transformer feeds the circuits with stable, clean power.

Relays handle switching on the line inputs, protecting the integrity of the signal.

It is the same technology that earned the Brio many international awards, in a more compact and affordable chassis.

The io comes with a remote control and batteries, and draws up to 135 W at its rated 8 Ω load.

Phono, line and headphones

The built-in MM phono stage takes the Planar 1's signal directly, with 2.1 mV sensitivity and RIAA accuracy of ±0.4 dB from 100 Hz to 10 kHz. It also has an earth terminal for the turntable.

Two further line inputs allow a CD player, streamer or TV to be connected, while the 3.5 mm front-panel headphone output offers private listening.

The two pairs of speaker terminals accept banana plugs, and the system can also be controlled with the Mini remote.

The System One is therefore not limited to vinyl, but can become the centre of all your home audio.

The system is completed by a pair of Kyte speakers and the cables that connect them. Everything is chosen by Rega to match the io electrically and sonically, so the system sounds right from the very first record.

Compact speakers with character

The Kyte is a two-way bookshelf speaker with a phenolic resin cabinet, the same material Rega uses for its turntable platters. Internal bracing and ceramic plates limit resonance.

It uses the ZRR tweeter and the hand-made MX-125 mid/bass driver, both designed by Rega. The bass reflex port is at the rear.

With 6 Ω impedance and 89 dB sensitivity, it works ideally with the io's 30 W. Each speaker weighs 3.73 kg and measures 32.5 x 18.8 x 23.2 cm.

For use on floor stands, Rega offers an optional adaptor, while the supplied removable feet suit placement on a shelf or sideboard.

Everything in the box

The System One includes two 3 m Rega speaker cables made of multi-strand copper with 56 strands per core. No further purchase is needed to get started: unpack, connect and play.

The user manual covers every step of installation in detail.

The combination was rated five stars by What Hi-Fi? and Editor's Choice by Hi-Fi Choice, The Ear and Hi-Fi Plus, while AV Forums and Hi-Fi Critic named it a Best Buy.

Like every Rega product, each component is covered by a lifetime limited warranty against manufacturing defects.