Rega Planar 3 vs. Planar 6 vs. Planar 8 Turntables

We had the pleasure of having Bryce from Rega join us on our weekly live stream show last week. He covered the basic differences between the Rega Planar 3, Planar 6, and Planar 8 turntables.

[retrobeep]

Bought a REGA Planar 3 back in 1991, and it still plays flawlessly today, with a new Ortofon 2M Red mounted.

[crazyprayingmantis]

A Rega P3 with a Nagaoka Mp150 and a Schiit Mani pre is the best bang for buck setup available imo.

This combination will be more than good enough for 85% of vinyl enthusiasts.
The other 15% can continue up the never ending chain of diminishing returns trying to achieve a perfection that they'll never reach.

[ron]

Nice comparison. I'm about to pull the trigger on the Planar 6.

I know I'll be scoffed at for saying this (maybe I should be) ...despite the 8 no doubt being sonically superior, I have to say I prefer the look of the traditional size plinth of the 3 and 6. I know that shouldn't matter for its intended purpose, but it helps to like what you're looking at.

[ricardobligatoire]

Great video and great comparison! P8 is my dream turntable but I am not able to afford it, at least to at this stage of my life. I have decided to buy P3 (in red) with the Exact cartridge and absolutely LOVE this setup. Only two upgrades I have made are the Zirconia Tango Spinner sub platter and acrylic mat purchase. I may upgrade my current Pro-Ject Phono Box pre-amp to one of the Rega preamps, but other that, I should be set for years!

[woodyshobbies]

I troubleshoot a rega p3 because of humming and a newly purchased from my friend. I think it has a factory defect because when the stylus and cartridge come closer to the spindle hum will become more louder....humming is audible when you don't put a record just hang up the tonearm then set the volume to 1/4 or 1/2 of your amplifier then cue the tonearm near to the spindle....there you can hear a hum....
"This will occur when you turn on the motor"

[justinparkman]

3 different turntables with 3 different cartridges you can't really compare them the 8 has the most expensive cartridge on it by far I'd like to see the same cartridge on all 3 turntables then compare them I'm sure the 8 would sound better and so it should but how much better is another question .

[carlo]

I've had the rega 1(second hand), then a few years later I bought the rega 3 with the standard elys 2, so glad I did!!! Very happy with it. Would like to try a few more cartridges like the clearaudio concept MM, or the benz micro gold or even the better wood body s, unfortunately life is expensive and I'm no way near rich...

[robertfinnigan]

I’ve loved Rega TT’s for over 30 years, the Planar 3 being my first proper record spinner.
My 21 year old son uses his great granny’s Planar 2, albeit modded.
The first thing we had to do was replace the cartridge tags (Rega used horrible bent metal for these, don’t know if they still do on the budget ones?) The glass platter went and a thicker acrylic one took its place.
Edwards Audio blue belt installed and wool mat chucked. Michell clamp for the record and he never looked back.
Rega is starting to confuse people, just like Apple with name choices!😀

[Akatosh]

What is interesting though is that adding a power supply to Planar 3 - will it make it almost as good as Planar 6? I understand there's a difference in bearings, but in terms of price/quality what is better - buying a brand new P6 or Planar 3 + power supply?

[alexandermikhailov]

If the holes are cut out in the plinth of P3 or P6 will either of them sound as wonderful as the P8? 🤷‍♂️

[MrBonger]

When I was auditioning these I found the biggest jump in sound quality was from the 3 to the 6. The 6 to 8 was much less of a jump

[ralex]

The Rega P6 is a nice turntable, may see some competition with the MoFi Studiodeck.

[tiagoftpombo]

I just got a Rega P3 yesterday, upgrading from a Pioneer PL-400 and just love it. What a difference. Maybe I just got out of the ordinary and into proper audio, even if just at entry level? Got to love the P8 look, but, although it improves sound quality, why reducing size on the P8 and then adding it a box? Does not make sense. It's a box, looks like a box. Yes, I could hide it, but why does it even exist, stetically, when if I had a gorgeous P8?

[kerryfoster]

My Planar 3 was bought in 1980. Still going, although was stored for a while. The wires from the ( s - shaped ) arm are a bit dodgy now. Can I get the arm replaced? also the rubber drive band has loosened.  Any ideas please?

[arthurwatts]

I realize we aren't filming this on the back streets of Glasgow, but I'm not sure that I'd be so keen to ask a Scotsman to 'come into the back room' :)

Seriously, this is a very informative rundown of a range that - sadly - costs a little more than brands like Pro-Ject here in Oz. Thanks for putting this together.

[jeffbigbear]

Great info thank you. Although the usable info starts at about 4 minutes in.

[brianramnath]

Do you really need to use a mat with these?

[CBT]

I can afford a P6 but do I really need it? I like listening to heavy metal records with Peachtree speakers. I need a turntable.

[ralex]

I have great respect for Rega, although there is a lot better equipment out there, for their pricing hard to beat.
I’ve had many Rega products and have always been satisfied. Quality build, made in the UK.
I change up my equipment often, Rega has always been my go to company. Great business model.
Thanks Roy Gandy, fine gentleman

[tiagoveras]

I'm a vinyl enthusiast and I live in Brazil. Here the information is very scarce. My intention is to listen to vinyl records and I currently have a Marantz PM8006 Amplifier, Elipson Prestige Facet 8B speakers and a Turnable AT-LP1240 with Ortofon 2m RED.

I want to change my capsule, I wanted to buy an ortofon 2m black. However, I was unsure whether I should also change my AT-LP1240 since it is more aimed at DJs (I didn't really understand this at the time I bought it).

My question is: Should I actually change the AT-LP1240? I thought about purchasing a Raga Planar 3 or Pro-ject RPM 3, or perhaps even a Pro-Ject 1Xpression. Is changing the record player really recommended? Should I really get another sound experience with better quality for my purpose?

I already know the capsule is terrible and should at least go to an Ortofon 2m Silver!
Thanks to anyone who can help!