Rega have long been the manufacturer of affordable award winning turntables that continue to be enjoyed today. The format has been making a bit of a comeback in recent times as many consumers prefer the warmer sound that vinyl can provide over digital media. Today we have an article reviewing the new Rega RP3/Elys2 turntable, as vinyl sales continue to rocket.
The latest Rega Planar 3 turntable looks pretty similar to previous generations of the Planar range, with a style that is simple but attractive. What Hi-Fi have recently put the deck through its paces and noted the suspension was limited to three solid rubber feet.
With any turntable it will work best situated on a level sound support, and as far away from the speakers as possible. One of the biggest new features of the RP3 is the addition of a strengthening brace between the arm base and main bearing. The much loved Rega tone arm as also been enhanced, which has a more rigid arm tube and improved resonance control.
You can purchase the unit without a cartridge for £475, but the package with the Elys 2 unit is an attractive option. Sound wise the RP3 doesn’t disappoint and was found to build on earlier versions with improved clarity and stronger dynamics. The Planar is easy to use and set up and proves to be a great buy as long as you don’t mind manually changing the speed.
I have had a Rega Planar turntable for years that is still going strong mechanically and sonically. But this latest version may lead me to upgrade. The unit is also available in the US from a variety of outlets including Amazon.
Meanwhile sales of vinyl continue to rise with sales set to be up 40 percent on last year, which is the highest level seen in six years. Sales have already gone past 240,000 units so far compared to 170,000 the same time last year, peaking at a total of 234,000 by the end of 2010.
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