> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.unknowndivide.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Rega Turntables Explained: Planar 1, Planar 2 and Planar 3 - URL: https://www.unknowndivide.com/rega-turntables-explained/ - Published: 2024-10-03T15:00:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-27T06:16:57.000Z - Description: Rega has built turntables in England since 1973. Here is what makes the brand's design thinking different, and how the Planar 1, Planar 2 and Planar 3 compare when you are choosing one. - Author: unknowndivide staff - Tags: Music, Gear *Unknowndivide may earn a commission from purchases made through links in this post.* Ask a room of record collectors which turntable to buy first and someone will say Rega. The British company has a reputation for simple, well engineered decks that play records beautifully and keep going for years. This guide explains what Rega is, the design ideas behind its turntables, and how its three core Planar models differ, so you can work out which one fits your setup. ## Who is Rega [Rega Research](https://www.rega.co.uk/about/history?ref=unknowndivide.com) started from humble beginnings in 1973\. Its first success came from tonearms and turntables, and it has made complete hi fi systems since the eighties. Roy Gandy is the company's founder, and engineering sits at the heart of the business. Rega describes itself as a dedicated British manufacturer that employs over 150 people. Its custom made facilities sit on one industrial estate in the Southeast of England, totalling almost 70,000 square feet, and its products are exported to more than 50 countries. Every product is designed and assembled in the United Kingdom, and Rega offers a lifetime warranty against manufacture defects on everything it makes. That warranty says a lot about how the company expects its turntables to be used: daily, for decades. ## The design ideas behind a Rega Most Rega turntables share a handful of ideas, and once you understand them the whole range makes sense. ### Light and rigid, not heavy Many turntables chase mass, with thick plinths and heavy platters. Rega went the other way. The company says it pioneered lightweight rigid plinths, using a light core with a very stiff phenolic resin skin. A light, stiff plinth stores and passes on less unwanted energy, such as motor or bearing noise, so less of it reaches the spinning record. ### The tonearm comes first Rega built its name on tonearms, and each Planar uses a hand assembled arm from its RB family. The arms use Rega designed ultra low friction bearings, which help the stylus track the groove and pull more detail from your records. ### Belt drive with a quiet motor Rega decks are belt driven. A low noise 24 volt motor turns the platter through a drive belt, which keeps motor vibration away from the record. Rega now fits its advanced drive belt as standard across the range, which it says improves accuracy and speed performance. ### Simple setup Rega designs its entry decks to be plug and play. The Planar 1 and Planar 2 come with a factory fitted cartridge, and the Planar 1 arm has preset bias, so a beginner can get playing quickly without fiddly adjustments. ## Planar 1: the plug and play starter The [Planar 1](https://www.rega.co.uk/products/planar-1?ref=unknowndivide.com) is Rega's entry point. It uses the handmade RB110 tonearm with automatic bias adjustment and a factory fitted Carbon moving magnet cartridge. Rega says setup is possible in under 30 seconds. - Tonearm: RB110 with ultra low friction bearings and automatic bias - Cartridge: Rega Carbon moving magnet, factory fitted - Motor: bespoke 24 volt low noise synchronous motor, the first entry level Rega deck to use one - Platter: 23 millimeter phenolic resin platter with a flywheel effect for speed stability - Bearing: performance brass main bearing - Finishes: matt black, matt white and a Walnut effect edition introduced in September 2022 Buy the Planar 1 if you are getting back into vinyl and want a deck that just works. It is the one to pick when you want to unbox, plug in and listen. ## Planar 2: the step up The [Planar 2](https://www.rega.co.uk/products/planar-2?ref=unknowndivide.com) was developed over two years alongside the Planar 3\. It moves up to the RB220 tonearm, which has a new housing with an integrated arm clip and a custom aluminum arm tube. - Tonearm: RB220 with patented ultra low friction bearings - Cartridge: Rega Carbon moving magnet, factory fitted - Motor: 24 volt low noise, low vibration motor with a new circuit board - Platter: 10 millimeter float glass Optiwhite platter - Bearing: 11 millimeter self securing brass bearing - Plinth: acrylic high gloss laminated plinth, or Walnut effect laminate The glass platter and better arm are the big upgrades here. Choose the Planar 2 if you want more detail than the Planar 1 and like the look of a glossy plinth. ## Planar 3: the classic The [Planar 3](https://www.rega.co.uk/products/planar-3?ref=unknowndivide.com) is the model most people mean when they talk about a Rega. Rega's designers, headed by Roy Gandy, spent two years developing it in the biggest redesign the Three model had ever seen. - Tonearm: hand assembled RB330 precision tonearm - Plinth: lightweight acrylic laminated plinth with a double brace system - Braces: a thicker 3 millimeter phenolic bottom brace and a metalised phenolic top brace, placed between the tonearm mount and the main bearing - Bearing: redesigned brass main hub - Platter: 12 millimeter float glass Optiwhite platter with a polished edge - Motor: 24 volt low noise motor, compatible with the optional Rega Neo power supply for electronic speed change - Finishes: high gloss white, black and red The double brace is the clever part. Rather than skinning the whole plinth, Rega puts double thickness phenolic resin only where rigidity matters most, between the arm and the bearing, which keeps weight down. Choose the Planar 3 if you want a deck to grow with, one that rewards a better cartridge and phono stage over time. ## How to choose Think about the rest of your system and your budget for extras. A Rega needs a phono stage, either built into your amplifier or a separate box, and a pair of speakers. A sensible rule is to keep the deck and the rest of the chain in balance. - **Just starting out:** the Planar 1 is the easy, no fuss pick. - **Want a clear upgrade:** the Planar 2 adds a glass platter and the RB220 arm. - **Want a long term deck:** the Planar 3 brings the RB330 arm and the double brace plinth. Whichever you pick, swap the drive belt when it wears and the deck should keep spinning for years. Rega sells its advanced drive belt as a replacement part. **Shop the Rega turntables** [Planar 1 at Rega](https://www.rega.co.uk/products/planar-1?ref=unknowndivide.com) [Planar 3 at Rega](https://www.rega.co.uk/products/planar-3?ref=unknowndivide.com) [Rega advanced drive belt](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08Z8K8YK6?tag=unknowndivi02-20&ref=unknowndivide.com) Building a record setup? Start with our [best turntables for beginners](https://www.unknowndivide.com/best-turntables-for-beginners/), add one of our [best phono preamps for beginners](https://www.unknowndivide.com/best-phono-preamps-for-beginners/), pair it with our [best powered speakers for turntables](https://www.unknowndivide.com/best-powered-speakers-for-turntables/) and compare the [Technics SL-1210MKX](https://www.unknowndivide.com/technics-sl-1210mkx-dj-turntable/). Find more in our [vinyl hub](https://www.unknowndivide.com/vinyl/).